Paris (CNN) -- After a week of deadly, international protests against an anti-Islam film, a French satirical magazine is fueling the debate between freedom of expression and offensive provocation.

The magazine Charlie Hebdo published cartoons featuring a figure resembling the Prophet Mohammed in an issue that hit newsstands Wednesday.

Magazine director Stephane Charbonnier said his staff is "not really fueling the fire," but rather using its freedom of expression "to comment (on) the news in a satirical way."

• Editor: The cartoons mock a "lousy" anti-Islam film more than the Muslim prophet
• French Muslim council: The cartoons are "insulting" and "a new provocation"
• The French prime minister calls for restraint and emphasizes freedom of speech
• Foreign minister: "I do not see any usefulness in such provocation"