At least four people were injured during demonstrations in Yemen on Sunday, over the alleged desecration of a Quran, Islam’s holy scripture.
Riots broke out in Balhaf, a port in southern Yemen, following reports that a French engineer defiled the scripture during a scuffle with a local colleague at a liquefied gas terminal.
The Frenchman was said to have thrown a Quran on the ground during the argument.
The incident sparked spontaneous riots throughout the city.
Protesters reportedly damaged the terminal and set on fire at least 20 cars and a helicopter. Offices and homes were also damaged in the riots, which were quelled on Sunday afternoon.
The terminal is being constructed by the French energy giant Total.
The company evacuated dozens of its employees from Balhaf to the capital ‘Sana, following the riots.
Similar incidents involving Western attitudes to the religion have struck a chord with Muslims in the past. A series of Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad set off violent protests from North Africa to Indonesia at the beginning of 2006.