Tunis (IANS) Hundreds of protesters Friday gathered outside the US embassy in the Tunisian capital and clashed with security forces, setting a number of cars of the embassy on fire, Xinhua reported.

The protesters managed to climb over a wall of the embassy and set many cars ablaze. Heavy smoke was seen above the embassy, the report said.

A number of protesters were injured as security forces fired rubber bullets and used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The protesters, who gathered following Friday prayers, told Xinhua they want to force the US ambassador to Tunisia to come out and demand the release of demonstrators who were arrested earlier.

An anti-Islam film allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed has sparked a spate of protests in many Islamic countries.