U.S. Ambassador To Libya & 3 Embassy Staff Killed
US Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens (photo: usembassy.gov)
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A Libyan official has told the Reuters news agency, ”The American ambassador and three staff members were killed when gunmen fired rockets at them.”
When asked about the report, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told Fox News that they have no information at this time about the report.
The U.S. ambassador to Libya is J. Christopher Stevens, and he became ambassador to Libya in May 2012.
His duties as Ambassador – according to his biography on USEmbassy.gov – were defined as: “As the President’s representative, his job is to develop a strong, mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Libya.”
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Libyan Interim President Mohammed el-Megarif
UPDATE: Libyan Interim President Apologizes To U.S., and American People
Libya’s interim president, Mohammed el-Megarif, has issued an apology to the United States, and the American people, for the attacks on the US Consulate that resulted in the death of US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other US Embassy staff.
“We extend our apology to America, the American people and the whole world,” he said.
El-Megarif called the attack “cowardly” and sent condolences to the families of those who has been killed.
The Interim President told reporters that he vows to bring to justice those responsible for the attack and murders, and that he wants relations between Libya and the US to remain close.
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President Barack Obama
UPDATE: PRESIDENT OBAMA RELEASES STATEMENT:
Statement by the President on the Attack in Benghazi
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.
This Post will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
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UPDATE: Statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Benghazi attack
It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the death of four American personnel in Benghazi, Libya yesterday. Among them were United States Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and Foreign Service Information Management Officer, Sean Smith. We are still making next of kin notifications for the other two individuals. Our hearts go out to all their families and colleagues. A 21 year veteran of the Foreign Service, Ambassador Stevens died last night from injuries he sustained in the attack on our office in Benghazi. I had the privilege of swearing in Chris for his post in Libya only a few months ago. He spoke eloquently about his passion for service, for diplomacy and for the Libyan people. This assignment was only the latest in his more than two decades of dedication to advancing closer ties with the people of the Middle East and North Africa which began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco. As the conflict in Libya unfolded, Chris was one of the first Americans on the ground in Benghazi. He risked his own life to lend the Libyan people a helping hand to build the foundation for a new, free nation. He spent every day since helping to finish the work that he started. Chris was committed to advancing America’s values and interests, even when that meant putting himself in danger. Sean Smith was a husband and a father of two, who joined the Department ten years ago. Like Chris, Sean was one of our best. Prior to arriving in Benghazi, he served in Baghdad, Pretoria, Montreal, and most recently The Hague. All the Americans we lost in yesterday’s attacks made the ultimate sacrifice. We condemn this vicious and violent attack that took their lives, which they had committed to helping the Libyan people reach for a better future. America’s diplomats and development experts stand on the front lines every day for our country. We are honored by the service of each and every one of them.
This Post will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
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UPDATE: ROMNEY RELEASES STATEMENT
2012 Republican Candidate for President Mitt Romney (AP)
GOP Presidential nominee Mitt Romney has released a statement about the Libyan Embassy attack:
“I’m outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi. It’s disgraceful that the Obama Administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks.”
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UPDATE:
Here is the film that sparked the riots and outrage in the Islamic world:
http://youtu.be/4sQPRtS2h7k
This Post will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
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