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US confirms ambassador killed in Benghazi Libya US confirms its Libya ambassador killed in Benghazi
(35 minutes later)
The US ambassador to Libya is among four Americans killed in an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, President Barack Obama has confirmed.The US ambassador to Libya is among four Americans killed in an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, President Barack Obama has confirmed.
Unidentified armed men stormed the grounds overnight amid uproar among Muslims over a US-produced film said to insult the Prophet Muhammad.Unidentified armed men stormed the grounds overnight amid uproar among Muslims over a US-produced film said to insult the Prophet Muhammad.
They shot at buildings and threw handmade bombs into the compound.They shot at buildings and threw handmade bombs into the compound.
It is still unclear how the ambassador, J Christopher Stevens, and the others actually died. It has not been confirmed how the ambassador, J Christopher Stevens, and the others died.
Protesters against the film also attacked the US embassy in Cairo on Tuesday night.Protesters against the film also attacked the US embassy in Cairo on Tuesday night.
In a statement, President Obama condemned the "outrageous attack" on the facility in Benghazi. In Kabul, the Afghan government gave orders for the video-sharing website Youtube to be closed to the public until the offending film was removed.
"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," he said. In a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/12/statement-president-attack-benghazi" >statement, President Obama condemned the "outrageous attack" on the facility in Benghazi, the eastern Libyan city which was a rebel stronghold during the uprising against Col Muammar Gaddafi.
Mr Obama also ordered a tightening of security at US diplomatic posts around the globe. "Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States," he said.
A second US man killed in the attack was named as Sean Smith, a father of two who was employed as an information management officer. "Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described Mr Smith as "one of the best". Mr Obama ordered a tightening of security at US diplomatic posts around the globe.
The names of the remaining two victims have not yet been released. Libya's interim leader, Mohammed Magarief, apologised to the US over the killings, which he called "cowardly criminal acts".
Reports say a militia known as the Ansar al-Sharia brigade was involved in the attack, but the group has denied the claim, the BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says.
'Rocket attack'
Reports suggest that Ambassador Stevens and his staff went to the consulate in an attempt to evacuate the site after it was attacked.
The killing of the US ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, along with three other US Embassy staff, raises a host of questions about security, the prevalence of armed militias in the country and the whole trajectory of Libya's democratic project.The killing of the US ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, along with three other US Embassy staff, raises a host of questions about security, the prevalence of armed militias in the country and the whole trajectory of Libya's democratic project.
The Obama administration in Washington will want answers from the Libyan government about the scale of the security measures in place at its consulate in Benghazi and how demonstrators were able to get into the building.The Obama administration in Washington will want answers from the Libyan government about the scale of the security measures in place at its consulate in Benghazi and how demonstrators were able to get into the building.
The US will also urgently need to review its own contingency planning with one Libyan official indicating that the ambassador was killed by a rocket attack on his car as he was being driven to a place of safety.
More broadly the ambassador's death highlights the continuing instability in Libya as the country struggles to establish security and the rule of law.More broadly the ambassador's death highlights the continuing instability in Libya as the country struggles to establish security and the rule of law.
The country is awash with weapons and armed militias - some of a salafist or extreme Islamic fundamentalist outlook - hold sway in many areas.The country is awash with weapons and armed militias - some of a salafist or extreme Islamic fundamentalist outlook - hold sway in many areas.
It is not yet clear how the four died. They were reportedly trying to leave the consulate building for a safer location when gunmen launched an intense attack, apparently forcing back security guards.
Mrs Clinton said of Mr Stevens: "Chris was committed to advancing America's values and interests, even when that meant putting himself in danger." "The American ambassador and three staff members were killed when gunmen fired rockets in their direction," a Libyan official in Benghazi told Reuters news agency.
'Barbaric acts' A second US man killed in the attack was named as Sean Smith, a father of two who was employed as an information management officer.
The killings were also condemned by the Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Abu Shagur. The names of the remaining two victims have not yet been released.
"I condemn these barbaric acts in the strongest possible terms. This is an attack on America, Libya and free people everywhere," he said on the social networking site Twitter. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described Mr Smith in a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/09/197630.htm" >statement as "one of the best".
Reports say a militia known as the Ansar al-Sharia brigade was involved in the attack, but the group has denied the claim, the BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says. The attack was condemned by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague as "brutal and senseless".
Our correspondent says many people are still armed following the conflict that overthrew Col Muammar Gaddafi last year. "These diplomats were serving not only their own country but the people of Libya and were working for the peace and stability of Libya in the future," he said in a statement.
Safety concerns
Our correspondent says many people are still armed following the conflict that overthrew Gaddafi.
Analysts say the attack will raise serious new concerns about stability in the country and the ability of the new Libyan administration to maintain security.Analysts say the attack will raise serious new concerns about stability in the country and the ability of the new Libyan administration to maintain security.
Other countries will be wondering whether their consular staff are safe in Libya, they say.Other countries will be wondering whether their consular staff are safe in Libya, they say.
The film that sparked the demonstration is said to have been produced by a 52-year-old US citizen from California named Sam Bacile, and promoted by an expatriate Egyptian Copt. In June, two British bodyguards were injured in an attack in Benghazi on a convoy carrying the British ambassador to Libya. Red Cross and UN staff also came under attack this year.
The two men are described as having anti-Islamic views. The film that sparked the protests is said to have been produced by a 52-year-old US citizen from California named Sam Bacile, and promoted by an expatriate Egyptian Copt. The two men are described as having anti-Islamic views.
A trailer of the low-budget movie, which correspondents say is highly provocative and insulting to Muslims, has appeared on YouTube translated into Arabic.A trailer of the low-budget movie, which correspondents say is highly provocative and insulting to Muslims, has appeared on YouTube translated into Arabic.
The BBC's Richard Galpin says there are real fears that protests over the video could spread. A demonstration in Cairo on Tuesday saw protesters breach the US embassy and tear down the US flag, which was flying at half-mast to mark the 9/11 attacks.
A demonstration in Cairo on Tuesday saw protesters breach the US embassy and tear down the US flag, which was flying at half mast to mark the 9/11 attacks. They condemned what they said was an attack on the Prophet of Islam under the pretext of freedom of speech.
They condemned what they said was the humiliation of the Prophet of Islam under the pretext of freedom of speech. An Islamic tenet bans the portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad.
Cartoons featuring the Islamic religion's key figure sparked violent unrest among Muslims in 2005 when they were published by a Danish newspaper.
Are you in Benghazi? Did you witness the incident? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Benghazi? Did you witness the incident? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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