Cairo, Sep 23 (IANS): A leading figure of the Sunni sect of Islam in Egypt has called on Muslims to maintain "peace" and show "patience and wisdom" while reacting over anti-Islam actions across the world.

Speaking to CNN amid continuing protests across the Muslim world against the anti-Islam private US film which mocks the Prophet Muhammad and a French satirical magazine's cartoons, Egypt's Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa made the appeal.

He called for fellow believers to respond to recent controversial portrayals of Mohammed -- which he said "spread hatred" -- just like the prophet himself would, "through patience and wisdom".

Though expressing bewilderment at the "Innocence of Muslims" film not being declared illegal under anti-hatred laws of the US, Gomaa said clashes will not be the right response to the situation, RIA Novosti reported.

"These cartoons spread hatred, and we call for peace," he said.

He stressed conflict is not the answer, saying, "We live together and must respect our neighbours".

The 14-minute trailer of "Innocence of Muslims" was originally posted on YouTube last June. It attracted little attention until Sep 8, this year when portions of the trailer were broadcast by a television network in Egypt.

Mass demonstrations over the film broke out in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Sudan and other predominantly Muslim countries.

The anti-Islam US film triggered protests that caused an attack in Libya on the US consulate, leaving ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others Americans dead.