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Muslim prayer hall attacked on Corsica Muslim prayer hall attacked in Corsica
(34 minutes later)
A crowd has vandalised a Muslim prayer hall in Corsica, following an attack on firefighters on the French Mediterranean island. A crowd has vandalised a Muslim prayer hall in Corsica in apparent retaliation for an attack on firefighters in the French Mediterranean island.
Officials say a small group of protesters also tried to burn copies of the Koran in the capital, Ajaccio.Officials say a small group of protesters also tried to burn copies of the Koran in the capital, Ajaccio.
Overall, several hundred people gathered in the city to express support for the firefighters and a police officer injured on Thursday. Overall, several hundred people gathered in the city to express support for two firefighters and a police officer injured on Thursday.
The government condemned both acts, pledging to punish the perpetrators.The government condemned both acts, pledging to punish the perpetrators.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said those who attacked the firefighters on Thursday night would be identified and arrested. 'Unacceptable desecration'
The firefighters - who were responding to an emergency call in a poor neighbourhood of Ajaccio - were ambushed by unknown assailants, French media report. On Friday, the crowd gathered in front of the prefecture in Ajaccio to show their solidarity with the firefighters.
Mr Cazeneuve also said that there was no place for "racism and xenophobia" in France. Some protesters later marched to the scene of the attack on Thursday night - a poor neighbourhood in the capital.
They chanted "Arabs get out!" and "This is our home!", AFP news agency reports.
The demonstrators then attacked the local Muslim prayer room, ransacking it and partially burning books - including copies of the Koran.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the attack was "an unacceptable desecration".
The French Council of the Muslim Faith also denounced the violence.
In Thursday's incident, the firefighters were ambushed by "several hooded youths", French media report.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve pledged that the perpetrators of both the attack on the emergency services and the Muslim prayer hall would be identified and arrested.
Mr Cazeneuve also stressed that there was no place for "racism and xenophobia" in France.
France has beefed up security measures for the Christmas holidays, following the 13 November attacks in Paris by Islamic militants that left 130 people dead.