The authorities in Pakistan have called on the army to control protesters demonstrating against an amateur video mocking Islam outside the US embassy in the capital, Islamabad.

Live rounds have been heard and tear gas has been fired as police struggled to contain the crowd of thousands.

The film, which was made in the US, is said to insult the Prophet Muhammad.

Several people have died in protests in the past week against the film in the Middle East and North Africa.

The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says some protesters have said they will not leave the diplomatic enclave until the US embassy is on fire.

However, he has not yet seen any evidence of the army's arrival.

[link to www.bbc.co.uk]