The region's leader warned that his government would "deal decisively" with anyone found guilty of blasphemy.

Lars Vilks, the artist who sparked outrage with a drawing of Muhammad as a dog, is dead after a highway crash.

'She lied because she felt trapped in a spiral because her classmates had asked her to be a spokesperson,' the girl's lawyer said.

'We don’t target innocents,' one man said. 'But those who directly insult our prophet will shoulder the responsibility.'

At least one of the victims, a woman, was beheaded, according to reports.

France's Emmanuel Macron defended the right to publish religious images after a teacher who displayed caricatures of Muhammad was beheaded.

The Taliban in Afghanistan and Hezbollah in Lebanon are among those who have condemned the defense of caricatures depicting Muhammad.

The beheading of a French teacher is the latest example of the cultural clash in the country where Islamists continue to target free speech.

A teacher in France was decapitated after discussing caricatures of Muhammad with students.

French President Macron’s centrist government has promised a law in the coming months against 'Islamic separatism.'