Britain poised to evacuate diplomats from Middle East as mob violence in protest at anti-Islam film spreads

Emergency plans are in place to evacuate UK diplomats and their families following a second day of violence in the Middle East. Protests over an anti-Islam film saw the US embassy in Yemen stormed yesterday by a mob numbering in the thousands.

The unrest started with the murder of the American ambassador to Libya and has spread to Yemen, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, Sudan, Morocco and Tunisia.

Security has been reviewed at British embassies and consulates amid fears that extremists and Al Qaeda-linked groups will try to fan the flames.

In Tehran, groups chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans staged a protest outside the Swiss embassy which represents US interests in Iran.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai postponed a planned visit to Norway, fearing violence could erupt in his country.

And in Iraq, demonstrations spread from Baghdad to the second city of Basra with the leader of one Islamist militia warning the film ‘will put all American interests in danger’.

In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood has called for nationwide protests today to denounce the film.

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