“We have indeed decided as a precautionary measure to close our embassies, consulates, cultural centres and schools,” a foreign ministry spokesman said.

The ministry also sent out a  travel warning urging French citizens in the Muslim world to be very careful and to avoid public gatherings and “sensitive buildings” such as religious sites.

The  French magazine known as Charlie Hebdo said that it published the caricatures which depicted Prophet Mohammed naked and in pornographic poses because it seemed timely following the recent worldwide protests over the film “Innocence of Muslims.”

Charlie Hebdo, whose offices were firebombed last year last year after it published an edition “guest-edited” by Prophet Muhammad that it called Sharia Hebdo, raised concerns that France could face violent protests similar to the ones targeting the United States over ther anti-Islamic video produced in California.

The principle of freedom of expression “must not be infringed,” Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, said in a statement, adding that, “In that context, is it appropriate and intelligent – we were talking about this just before arriving – to, in a sense, fan the flames? The answer is no”.

Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French Prime Minister,  said anyone offended by cartoons could take the matter to the courts but made it clear there would be no action against the magazine.

“We are in a country where freedom of expression is guaranteed, including the freedom to caricature,” he said.