This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/12/obama-security-americans-libya-ambassador

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama promises security for Americans in Libya in wake of ambassador's death Obama promises security for Americans in Libya in wake of ambassador's death
(7 months later)
Barack Obama has condemned as "outrageous" and "senseless" the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead, including the ambassador Chris Stevens.Barack Obama has condemned as "outrageous" and "senseless" the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead, including the ambassador Chris Stevens.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Obama offered no suggestion of retaliation, simply confining himself to a promise that all necessary steps would be taken to support the security of Americans working in Libya.In a statement on Wednesday morning, Obama offered no suggestion of retaliation, simply confining himself to a promise that all necessary steps would be taken to support the security of Americans working in Libya.
He described Stevens as "a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States" who had served in Benghazi during the Libyan revolution and had been helping with the transition to democracy.He described Stevens as "a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States" who had served in Benghazi during the Libyan revolution and had been helping with the transition to democracy.
The attack in Benghazi followed an earlier protest at the US embassy in Cairo by Islamist groups protesting over a film they regard as disrespectful of Mohammed.The attack in Benghazi followed an earlier protest at the US embassy in Cairo by Islamist groups protesting over a film they regard as disrespectful of Mohammed.
Referring to the film, Obama said: "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."Referring to the film, Obama said: "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."
The killings were pounced on by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who echoed criticism from conservative websites that Obama was too soft in his dealings with the Middle East and too willing to apologise for perceived offences to Islam.The killings were pounced on by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who echoed criticism from conservative websites that Obama was too soft in his dealings with the Middle East and too willing to apologise for perceived offences to Islam.
After the Cairo incident on Tuesday, the embassy there had released a statement condemning the "ongoing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the feelings of Muslims" and the continued attacks on the religious beliefs of others under the guise of "freedom of expression".After the Cairo incident on Tuesday, the embassy there had released a statement condemning the "ongoing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the feelings of Muslims" and the continued attacks on the religious beliefs of others under the guise of "freedom of expression".
On Wednesday, Romney said in a statement: "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."On Wednesday, Romney said in a statement: "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."
He added: "It's disgraceful that the Obama administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathise with those who waged the attacks."He added: "It's disgraceful that the Obama administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathise with those who waged the attacks."
An Obama campaign spokesman expressed shock that Romney would use Stevens' death to score a political point.An Obama campaign spokesman expressed shock that Romney would use Stevens' death to score a political point.
Ben LaBolt, Obama's campaign press secretary, said: "We are shocked that, at a time when the United States of America is confronting the tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya, governor Romney would choose to launch a political attack."Ben LaBolt, Obama's campaign press secretary, said: "We are shocked that, at a time when the United States of America is confronting the tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya, governor Romney would choose to launch a political attack."
The issue, once the initial shock begins to evaporate, will play into the election campaign. Part of the reason Jimmy Carter lost in 1980 was the Iranian hostage crisis and the botched rescue attempt. The Libyan killings are not on that scale, and certainly not big enough issue to turn an election but they will generate political clashes over the next few days.The issue, once the initial shock begins to evaporate, will play into the election campaign. Part of the reason Jimmy Carter lost in 1980 was the Iranian hostage crisis and the botched rescue attempt. The Libyan killings are not on that scale, and certainly not big enough issue to turn an election but they will generate political clashes over the next few days.
Secretary of state Hillary Clinton, in a statement, also condemned the killings.Secretary of state Hillary Clinton, in a statement, also condemned the killings.
"Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet," she said in a statement. "The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: there is never any justification for violent acts of this kind.""Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet," she said in a statement. "The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: there is never any justification for violent acts of this kind."
She also paid tribute to one of the other victims, Sean Smith, a foreign service information management officer and father of two who had served in Baghdad, Pretoria, Montreal and the Hague during his 10 years in the service. Clinton described him as "one of the best".She also paid tribute to one of the other victims, Sean Smith, a foreign service information management officer and father of two who had served in Baghdad, Pretoria, Montreal and the Hague during his 10 years in the service. Clinton described him as "one of the best".
The identities of the other two victims have not been revealed as next of kin are still being informed.The identities of the other two victims have not been revealed as next of kin are still being informed.
"All the Americans we lost in yesterday's attacks made the ultimate sacrifice," said Clinton in the statement. "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.""All the Americans we lost in yesterday's attacks made the ultimate sacrifice," said Clinton in the statement. "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."
guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am