Nakoula Basseley Nakoula: Family joins him at secret location

The family of a filmmaker linked to an anti-Islamic movie has left their California home in the middle of the night to join the man in hiding.

A spokesman with the LA County Sheriff's Department said that Nakoula Basseley Nakoula's relatives, each with his or her face covered, left their Cerritos home about 3:45am on Monday.

Deputies gave them a ride and they were reunited with Nakoula, then taken to an undisclosed location.

Family ties: The family of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula covered their faces as they were led out of his Cerritos, California, home early on Monday morning

Not under arrest: Nakoula Basseley Nakoula is escorted from his home by Los Angeles County Sheriff's officers in Cerritos, California on Saturday morning

Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the LA County Sheriff's Department, told ABC News: 'They decided they would be safer where they could move about and live a normal life. 

'All we did was pick them up and reunite them with Mr. Nakoula.'

He would not say when or if Nakoula and his family were planning to return - if ever.

He told ABC: 'What we do know and what they told me is that for the time now and for the immediate future, for the weeks and months to come, they will not be returning to this address.'

Nakoula wore heavy apparel to disguise his appearance when he left his home over the weekend.

His family was no different, keeping their faces covered as they were led away by deputies.

Meanwhile, as fresh protests broke out in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi issued an stark message directed at Nakoula.

Condemnation: Iran's Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi (left) called for the filmmakers to be punished while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) called on the West to take action

Authorities fear new anti-West violence

Australian authorities are wary of fresh violence after Saturday's brutal anti-West demonstration in Sydney, as police urgently hunt the masterminds behind the riot.

Muslim leaders convened emergency meetings in Sydney and Melbourne on Monday night to quell any repeat of the clashes, which were part of global protests over the US anti-Islam YouTube film, Innocence of Muslims.

The Lebanese Muslim Association and the Islamic Council of NSW were both due to meet in Lakemba in Sydney's west to urge calm.

The Islamic Council of Victoria was also arranging a meeting of imams in Melbourne.

Community groups and politicians of all stripes condemned Saturday's violence, while lawyer Mariam Veiszadeh launched one of several online anti-violence campaigns.

"Our fear is that extremist elements in Australia and other countries are using this YouTube video to incite hatred and incite violence in pursuit of long-held goals," Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop told federal parliament.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the violence was the work of a "repugnant, lunatic fringe".

Authorities are bracing for more clashes, although NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione says he hopes the voice of reason will prevail.

"If anyone is stupid enough to try this sort of thing again, I can tell you now, we're more than ready," Mr Scipione told Macquarie Radio on Monday.

Melbourne police beefed up their presence at several locations across the city on Monday, including at the US consulate.