( CNN ) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Sunday that American forces can `` deal with any potential contingencies '' in the Middle East , especially after the military 's capabilities were recently `` enhanced '' after attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions . Speaking to reporters en route to Tokyo , Panetta said recent unrest underscores the importance of having vibrant , flexible U.S. military capabilities in the region . That unrest includes an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi , Libya , that killed U.S . Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans , as well as violent protests near U.S. embassies in Egypt , Yemen , Tunisia and elsewhere . `` The events of this week remind all of us of the need to maintain a strong presence in the Middle East , '' Panetta said . More arrests in U.S. Consulate attack in Libya . Some of that comes from U.S. forces ' extensive roots in the region , including bases in Iraq , Kuwait , Saudi Arabia , Bahrain , Qatar and elsewhere . Those troops make it easier to respond to crises in the region , which Panetta acknowledged , as do other recent moves , which include calling on members of small Marine Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams , or FAST , teams and moving warships in the region . `` We have enhanced some of that presence with the FAST teams and others so that , if they are requested , they can respond more quickly , '' Panetta said . `` It 's a combination of FAST teams plus some ships in the region that we have to try to give us the full capability we need in order to respond , '' he added , while noting the did n't `` anticipate a situation right now where we would have to ... do this on our own . '' Earlier this week , vigorous and sometimes violent protests broke out near U.S. embassies around the world over the `` Innocence of Muslims , '' an obscure film mocking the Prophet Mohammed as a womanizer , child molester and ruthless killer . Two months after the film 's trailer was posted online on YouTube , and days after it got attention in Egyptian media , Cairo residents first expressed their ire Tuesday , the 11th anniversary of the September 11 , 2001 , attacks , with protests targeting the American embassy . Outpourings soon spread like wildfire across the Muslim world . As a result , Western diplomats found themselves and their missions under siege , even as American leaders criticized the film and emphasized the U.S. government had nothing to do with it . Afterward , U.S. officials said Marine FAST teams , with about 50 members each , were being dispatched to Libya , Sudan and Yemen to protect U.S. diplomatic missions in those countries . But Sudanese officials rebuffed the U.S. plan to send in troops , insisting their own security forces could protect the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum . And Yemen 's parliament issued a statement early Sunday vehemently opposing the presence of U.S. troops in the country . One nation that has n't voiced opposition to a small contingent of U.S. troops is Libya . Libyan officials have said they are cooperating closely with U.S. authorities in investigating Tuesday 's attack in Benghazi , which they have strongly condemned . `` I 'm convinced that they want to do everything possible to be able to respond to what happened there , '' Panetta said of Libyan officials . `` And I think they are taking steps on the security side to provide better security . ... I think they are making a strong effort to try to respond to this crisis and try to deal with the issues involved . '' Hezbollah calls for new film protests .
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta talks to reporters en route to Mideast . He says recent events reinforce the need for a strong military presence in the Asia . Tokyo military capabilities in the region have been `` enhanced '' in Two months , he says . Defense praises Libyan officials ' `` strong effort '' in response to a deadly attack .