Mass rally against France and Macron in Islamabad

Thousands of supporters of the radical Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Monday continued to rally on a key road linking the capital, Islamabad with the garrison city of Rawalpindi in protest of sketches in France depicting the Prophet Muhammad, which they deem blasphemous.

The protesters are demanding the government recall Pakistan's ambassador from France and expel the French ambassador in Islamabad, and for all diplomatic relations with France to be cut off after President Emmanuel Macron's remarks over republishing the caricatures.

Muhammad Latif, a protester at the event, said "We love our prophet, we will give our life for the respect and honour of Prophet Muhammad, we will give our life but can't accept the French ambassador's presence here."

The sit-in, which has continued at an important intersection, started unplanned at the end of a protest march from Rawalpindi led by TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi, despite resistance by police on Sunday night.

TLP supporters defied the security arrangements of police and the administration and clashed with security forces at different points on the way to the Faizabad intersection.

Tehreek-e-Labaik claimed on Sunday that many of its supporters were injured by police during overnight clashes in Rawalpindi.

The government has said it wants the protesters to peacefully disperse and authorities are in communication with Rizvi to end the sit-in along with the other clerics in attendance.

The TLP has a history of staging such protests and sit-ins to press their demands.

The rally has also caused inconvenience to commuters as authorities suspended mobile phone services in the area and the only bus service linking Rawalpindi with Islamabad.

The prophet caricatures are deemed offensive by many Muslims and have sparked protests in Asia and the Middle East, with calls for a boycott of French products. They were also seen as the trigger for several attacks against French nationals and interests in recent weeks.