MOSCOW, September 21 - RAPSI. In the aftermath of the publication by French magazine Charlie Hebdo of caricatures of the Prophet Mohamed, government officials have ordered the closure Friday of embassies, consulates, cultural centers, and schools in about 20 countries, according to an official statement released by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

France has taken a number measures to increase the security of its embassies and missions abroad in light of the publication. According to the statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius issued “instructions that special safety precautions be taken in all countries where this could cause a problem.”

Toward this end, the MFA has urged the adoption of five safety measures: messages to French nationals living abroad to avoid unnecessary risks, messages to diplomatic staff to exercise caution, reminders to all host countries in which French embassies and consulates are located to ensure mission security, a general increase in security measures - including those relating to general access - in embassies and consulates, and the closures of embassies, consulates, cultural centers, and schools that took effect today.

In response to the publication Tuesday, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault reiterated the fundamental role of freedom of expression in French society. In the same vein he reaffirmed the principle of secularism, as well as the values of tolerance and respect for religious convictions. He thus urged “everyone to demonstrate a spirit of responsibility” and expressed his personal disapproval of “any excesses” associated with the publication.