Saudi Arabia's mufti or spiritual leader Sheikh Abdelaziz al-Sheikh on Saturday condemned as un-Islamic violent protests against an anti-Muslim Internet film made in the United States.

The mufti also denounced the film's dissemination, which he considered "a criminal act," but called on demonstrators to "not turn legitimate protests into unauthorised provocative acts," in a statement quoted by the official news agency SPA.

"Such acts damage the Muslim religion, are not permitted by God and are incompatible with the teachings of the Prophet" Mohammed, he said, hoping for "the criminalisation of attacks on sacred figures" in monotheistic religions.

He said those promoting the film wished to "turn Muslims away from their goals, which are building their countries, reinforcing their unity and the pursuit of development."