WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton says the deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in eastern Libya should
"shock the conscience of people of all faiths around the world."
Clinton says the assault that killed the U.S. ambassador
and three American members of his staff was committed by a "small and savage
group" of militants, not by the people or government of Libya.
She said Wednesday there was no justification for the
attack, and decried violent extremism.
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President Obama released a statement condemning the
attacks.
I strongly condemn the outrageous
attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four
Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people
have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified
America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and
people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took
their lives.
I have directed my Administration
to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in
Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While
the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others,
we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the
lives of these public servants.
On a personal note, Chris was a
courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the
Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our
mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya's
transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for
liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my
Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.
The brave Americans we lost
represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every
day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now
redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama will make a public statement at the White House to comment on the attacks in Libya that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
The White House says Obama will be joined by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. His remarks are scheduled for 10:35 a.m. ET.
Stevens was killed, Libyan officials say, when he and embassy aides went to the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, which was under attack by protesters angry over a film that ridicules Islam's Prophet Muhammad.
Obama was notified that Stevens was unaccounted for Tuesday night and was told of his death Wednesday morning.
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TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) -- Libyan officials say the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans have been killed in an attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi by protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammad.
The officials say Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed Tuesday night when he and a group of embassy employees went to the consulate to try to evacuate staff. The protesters were firing gunshots and rocket propelled grenades.
All of the officials -- three in all -- hold senior security positions in Benghazi.
They are deputy interior minister for eastern Libya Wanis al-Sharaf; Benghazi security chief Abdel-Basit Haroun; and Benghazi city council and security official Ahmed Bousinia.
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TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) -- Libya's interim president has apologized to the United States for the attack on the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi that killed the American ambassador and three of his staff.
Mohammed el-Megarif described the attack as "cowardly" and offered his condolences on the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and the three other Americans. Speaking to reporters, he vowed to bring the culprits to justice and maintain his country's close relations with the United States. He said the three Americans were security guards.
The attack on the Benghazi consulate was carried out by protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammad. They used machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.
"We extend our apology to America, the American people and the whole world," el-Megarif said.
