Istanbul, Sep 14 (IANS): A major Syrian opposition group has expressed its distress over the insults caused by a US movie towards Prophet Mohammad but also stated that it is shocked over some Muslims' reaction in the form of murder, arson and vandalism.

"We condemn the repeated insults to the noble prophet ... and are outraged to see the insults tied to the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which suggests there is a connection between the event and the tolerant message of Islam," Xinhua quoted The Syrian National Council as saying in a statement.

"As we condemn the insults and consider them an assault on the feelings and beliefs of nearly one fourth of the population of the globe, we stress the right of everyone who has been offended to express peacefully their rejection and condemnation," the Istanbul-based Syrian opposition group added.

The group also denounced the killing of the US ambassador and three other US diplomatic staffers in Libya.

On Tuesday night, protesters stormed the US consulate in Libyan city of Benghazi, and set fire to the building to protest against the video allegedly ridiculing Prophet Mohammad.

The film has also ignited protests in Yemen, Iran and Egypt.