http://www.worldjewishdaily.com/sam-bacile-coptic.php

Contrary to earlier claims, the Associated Press now reports that “Sam Bacile,” the alleged Israeli producer behind an anti-Islam film blamed for sparking riots in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen, is actually a Coptic Christian living in California.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, told The Associated Press in an interview outside Los Angeles that he was manager for the company that produced “Innocence of Muslims,” which mocked Muslims and the Prophet Muhammad and may have incited the frenzied mobs that attacked U.S. missions in Egypt and Libya. He provided initial details about a shadowy production group behind the film. Nakoula told the AP that he was a Coptic Christian, and said the film’s director supported the concerns of Christian Copts about their treatment by Muslims.

Though Nakoula denied being the director of the film, phone records indicate the Nakoula is the man who claimed to be “Sam Bacile.”

It is unclear at this point what exactly sparked riots in Libya that ended with the death of the U.S. ambassador there and three embassy aides. Early reports indicated that rioters were enraged by the existence of the film, which was first reported by Egyptian media. But others believe the riots were pre-planned by Islamists elements to mark September 11, the anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.

The Israeli government had already said “Sam Bacile” was not a citizen.

Protesters continued to riot Thursday outside the U.S. embassies in Egypt and Yemen. Israeli-Arabs also gathered in Tel Aviv.