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| Libya Attack Brings Challenges for U.S. | |
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| WASHINGTON — The violent deaths of four American diplomatic personnel in Libya during a heavily armed and possibly planned assault on a flimsily protected consulate facility on the Sept. 11 anniversary provoked an uproar in Washington on Wednesday, presenting new challenges in the volatile Middle East less than two months before the American presidential election. | WASHINGTON — The violent deaths of four American diplomatic personnel in Libya during a heavily armed and possibly planned assault on a flimsily protected consulate facility on the Sept. 11 anniversary provoked an uproar in Washington on Wednesday, presenting new challenges in the volatile Middle East less than two months before the American presidential election. |
| The killings of the four Americans on Tuesday, including the ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, also raised basic questions about security and intelligence in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, where the assault took place, as well as other American diplomatic facilities elsewhere in the region, where deep-seated anti-American sentiment remains a potent force despite United States support for the Arab Spring uprisings that have transfixed the region for nearly two years. | The killings of the four Americans on Tuesday, including the ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, also raised basic questions about security and intelligence in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, where the assault took place, as well as other American diplomatic facilities elsewhere in the region, where deep-seated anti-American sentiment remains a potent force despite United States support for the Arab Spring uprisings that have transfixed the region for nearly two years. |
| President Obama denounced the attack, promised to avenge the killings and ordered tighter security at all American diplomatic installations. The administration also dispatched 50 Marines to Libya for greater diplomatic protection, ordered all nonemergency personnel to leave Libya and warned Americans not to travel there, suggesting further attacks were possible. | President Obama denounced the attack, promised to avenge the killings and ordered tighter security at all American diplomatic installations. The administration also dispatched 50 Marines to Libya for greater diplomatic protection, ordered all nonemergency personnel to leave Libya and warned Americans not to travel there, suggesting further attacks were possible. |
| “These four Americans stood up for freedom and human dignity,” Mr. Obama said in a televised statement from the White House Rose Garden, where he stood with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. “Make no mistake: we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people.” | “These four Americans stood up for freedom and human dignity,” Mr. Obama said in a televised statement from the White House Rose Garden, where he stood with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. “Make no mistake: we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people.” |
| But the killings also led to heated exchanges between the Obama administration and the Republican presidential challenger, Mitt Romney, who criticized Mr. Obama’s handling of the killings in what Mr. Romney’s critics, including a few Republicans, called an unwarranted politicization of an American foreign policy tragedy. | But the killings also led to heated exchanges between the Obama administration and the Republican presidential challenger, Mitt Romney, who criticized Mr. Obama’s handling of the killings in what Mr. Romney’s critics, including a few Republicans, called an unwarranted politicization of an American foreign policy tragedy. |
| There were unconfirmed reports that Ambassador Stevens, a highly regarded diplomat who was well liked by officials in the new Libyan government, had been pursued by Islamic militants to his death in a safe house, where he may have died of asphyxiation from smoke in a grenade explosion. He was the first American ambassador killed abroad in more than three decades. | There were unconfirmed reports that Ambassador Stevens, a highly regarded diplomat who was well liked by officials in the new Libyan government, had been pursued by Islamic militants to his death in a safe house, where he may have died of asphyxiation from smoke in a grenade explosion. He was the first American ambassador killed abroad in more than three decades. |
| Initial accounts of the assault in Benghazi were attributed to popular anger over what was described as an American-made video that lampooned the Prophet Muhammad, which had been publicized by Egyptian media and led to a mob protest at the United States Embassy protest in Cairo on Tuesday. But administration officials in Washington said the attack in Libya may have been plotted in advance. | Initial accounts of the assault in Benghazi were attributed to popular anger over what was described as an American-made video that lampooned the Prophet Muhammad, which had been publicized by Egyptian media and led to a mob protest at the United States Embassy protest in Cairo on Tuesday. But administration officials in Washington said the attack in Libya may have been plotted in advance. |
| While the protesters in Cairo appeared to be genuinely outraged over the anti-Islam video, the attackers in Benghazi were armed with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. Officials said it was possible that an organized group had either been waiting for an opportunity to exploit like the protests over the video or perhaps even generated the protests as a cover for their attack. | While the protesters in Cairo appeared to be genuinely outraged over the anti-Islam video, the attackers in Benghazi were armed with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. Officials said it was possible that an organized group had either been waiting for an opportunity to exploit like the protests over the video or perhaps even generated the protests as a cover for their attack. |
| Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a former FBI agent, agreed. “Clearly the event in Libya was a planned, targeted attack and I believe they selected the date probably for a reason,” he said. “As an old investigator, I can tell you, you can’t have that many coincidences on the same day. I don’t believe it.” | Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a former FBI agent, agreed. “Clearly the event in Libya was a planned, targeted attack and I believe they selected the date probably for a reason,” he said. “As an old investigator, I can tell you, you can’t have that many coincidences on the same day. I don’t believe it.” |
| Mr. Obama offered praise for the Libyan government, noting that Libyan security forces fought back against the attacking mob, helped protect American diplomats and took Mr. Stevens’s body to the hospital. “This attack will not break the bonds between the United States and Libya,” he said. Top Libyan officials, including the interim leader, quickly apologized and vowed to help find the killers. | Mr. Obama offered praise for the Libyan government, noting that Libyan security forces fought back against the attacking mob, helped protect American diplomats and took Mr. Stevens’s body to the hospital. “This attack will not break the bonds between the United States and Libya,” he said. Top Libyan officials, including the interim leader, quickly apologized and vowed to help find the killers. |
| But the Benghazi attack also put an enormous new strain on Washington’s relations with the new Libyan government that took over after the ouster of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi last year and has struggled to gain control over a litany of armed groups that still roam the country with impunity. | But the Benghazi attack also put an enormous new strain on Washington’s relations with the new Libyan government that took over after the ouster of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi last year and has struggled to gain control over a litany of armed groups that still roam the country with impunity. |
| It seemed clear that the events in Benghazi far outpaced the ability of the Americans or Libyan officials to fully grasp them. The attack at the compound, which lasted for hours, turned out to be much deadlier than administration officials first announced on Tuesday night, when Mrs. Clinton said one American had been killed and one injured. | It seemed clear that the events in Benghazi far outpaced the ability of the Americans or Libyan officials to fully grasp them. The attack at the compound, which lasted for hours, turned out to be much deadlier than administration officials first announced on Tuesday night, when Mrs. Clinton said one American had been killed and one injured. |
| Another of those killed was Sean Smith, an information management officer who joined the Foreign Service 10 years ago. The State Department did not identify the other two, pending notification of relatives, but they were both thought to be security officers. Mr. Smith, a husband and father of two, previously served in Iraq, Canada and the Netherlands. | Another of those killed was Sean Smith, an information management officer who joined the Foreign Service 10 years ago. The State Department did not identify the other two, pending notification of relatives, but they were both thought to be security officers. Mr. Smith, a husband and father of two, previously served in Iraq, Canada and the Netherlands. |
| In a dispatch from Benghazi, Reuters quoted witnesses as saying the attackers included tribesmen, militia and other gunmen, and that Libyan security officers guarding the facility were overrun and some retreated. It quoted one witness as saying he saw one of the Americans die in front of him and the body had been covered in ash. | In a dispatch from Benghazi, Reuters quoted witnesses as saying the attackers included tribesmen, militia and other gunmen, and that Libyan security officers guarding the facility were overrun and some retreated. It quoted one witness as saying he saw one of the Americans die in front of him and the body had been covered in ash. |
| Officials in Washington said no warning had been distributed inside the United States government in the days before the assault on the consulate, either on the possibility of an attack to coincide with the 9/11 anniversary or more specifically that a plot might be afoot in Libya. That suggests that American intelligence was not picking up unusual communications or other evidence pointing to a planned attack. | Officials in Washington said no warning had been distributed inside the United States government in the days before the assault on the consulate, either on the possibility of an attack to coincide with the 9/11 anniversary or more specifically that a plot might be afoot in Libya. That suggests that American intelligence was not picking up unusual communications or other evidence pointing to a planned attack. |
| About 24 hours before the consulate attack, however, Al Qaeda posted to militant forums on the Web a video in which its leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, acknowledged the death in an American drone strike in June of his Libyan deputy, Abu Yahya al-Libi, and called on Libyans to avenge the death. | About 24 hours before the consulate attack, however, Al Qaeda posted to militant forums on the Web a video in which its leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, acknowledged the death in an American drone strike in June of his Libyan deputy, Abu Yahya al-Libi, and called on Libyans to avenge the death. |
| If it were established that the deaths of the American diplomats resulted not from the spontaneous anger of a crowd about an insult to Islam but from a long-planned Qaeda plot, that might sharply shift perceptions of the events. But officials cautioned that the issue was still under urgent study. | If it were established that the deaths of the American diplomats resulted not from the spontaneous anger of a crowd about an insult to Islam but from a long-planned Qaeda plot, that might sharply shift perceptions of the events. But officials cautioned that the issue was still under urgent study. |
| By the end of the day, the administration was still sorting through the information and the National Counterterrorism Center had yet to offer a formal assessment. While the attack looked organized, one official said it was too early to assign responsibility to a militant group like Ansar al-Sharia, the focus of much attention on Wednesday. The official likewise said it was not known whether the attack had been intended to coincide with the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. “Motivation remains a mystery,” the official said. | By the end of the day, the administration was still sorting through the information and the National Counterterrorism Center had yet to offer a formal assessment. While the attack looked organized, one official said it was too early to assign responsibility to a militant group like Ansar al-Sharia, the focus of much attention on Wednesday. The official likewise said it was not known whether the attack had been intended to coincide with the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. “Motivation remains a mystery,” the official said. |
| Moreover, the official pointed out that weapons are commonplace in that part of Libya and it was possible that as anger over the video mushroomed, radicals armed themselves and rushed to the consulate on their own. “This is Benghazi,” the official said. “This is the wild west.” | Moreover, the official pointed out that weapons are commonplace in that part of Libya and it was possible that as anger over the video mushroomed, radicals armed themselves and rushed to the consulate on their own. “This is Benghazi,” the official said. “This is the wild west.” |
| The White House would not comment. “At this stage, it would be premature to ascribe any motive to this reprehensible act,” said Tommy Vietor, a White House spokesman. | The White House would not comment. “At this stage, it would be premature to ascribe any motive to this reprehensible act,” said Tommy Vietor, a White House spokesman. |
| Mr. Stevens assumed his ambassador post in May after having served as an envoy to the Libyan rebels who overthrew Colonel Qaddafi. He was widely admired by the Libyan rebels for his support of their struggle, and others who knew Mr. Stevens described him as an extraordinarily talented and insightful diplomat. | Mr. Stevens assumed his ambassador post in May after having served as an envoy to the Libyan rebels who overthrew Colonel Qaddafi. He was widely admired by the Libyan rebels for his support of their struggle, and others who knew Mr. Stevens described him as an extraordinarily talented and insightful diplomat. |
| Mr. Obama called Mr. Stevens “a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States” who had “selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi” and, as ambassador, “supported Libya’s transition to democracy.” | Mr. Obama called Mr. Stevens “a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States” who had “selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi” and, as ambassador, “supported Libya’s transition to democracy.” |
| The news of the deaths emerged on Wednesday after violence spilled over the American Consulate in Benghazi and demonstrators stormed the fortified walls of the American Embassy in Cairo. Anti-American protests also were reported in Tunisia, the birthplace of the Arab Spring revolution, and in Gaza. The Taliban called on Afghans to “take revenge” on American targets in Afghanistan. | The news of the deaths emerged on Wednesday after violence spilled over the American Consulate in Benghazi and demonstrators stormed the fortified walls of the American Embassy in Cairo. Anti-American protests also were reported in Tunisia, the birthplace of the Arab Spring revolution, and in Gaza. The Taliban called on Afghans to “take revenge” on American targets in Afghanistan. |
| There were conflicting accounts of how Mr. Stevens had died. One witness to the mayhem around the compound on Tuesday said militants chased him to a safe house and lobbed grenades at the location, where he was later found unconscious, apparently from smoke inhalation, and could not be revived by rescuers who took him to a hospital. | There were conflicting accounts of how Mr. Stevens had died. One witness to the mayhem around the compound on Tuesday said militants chased him to a safe house and lobbed grenades at the location, where he was later found unconscious, apparently from smoke inhalation, and could not be revived by rescuers who took him to a hospital. |
| An unidentified Libyan official in Benghazi told Reuters that Mr. Stevens and three staff members were killed in Benghazi “when gunmen fired rockets at them.” The Libyan official said the ambassador was being driven from the consulate building to a safer location when gunmen opened fire, Reuters said. | An unidentified Libyan official in Benghazi told Reuters that Mr. Stevens and three staff members were killed in Benghazi “when gunmen fired rockets at them.” The Libyan official said the ambassador was being driven from the consulate building to a safer location when gunmen opened fire, Reuters said. |
| In Italy, the Web site of the newspaper Corriere della Sera showed images of what it said was the American Consulate in Benghazi ablaze with men carrying automatic rifles and waving V-for-victory signs, silhouetted against the burning buildings. One photograph showed a man closely resembling Mr. Stevens apparently unconscious, his face seeming to be smudged with smoke and his eyes closed. | In Italy, the Web site of the newspaper Corriere della Sera showed images of what it said was the American Consulate in Benghazi ablaze with men carrying automatic rifles and waving V-for-victory signs, silhouetted against the burning buildings. One photograph showed a man closely resembling Mr. Stevens apparently unconscious, his face seeming to be smudged with smoke and his eyes closed. |
| Mr. Stevens, conversant in Arabic and French, had worked at the State Department since 1991 after a spell as an international trade lawyer in Washington. He taught English as a Peace Corps volunteers in Morocco from 1983 to 1985, the State Department Web site said. | Mr. Stevens, conversant in Arabic and French, had worked at the State Department since 1991 after a spell as an international trade lawyer in Washington. He taught English as a Peace Corps volunteers in Morocco from 1983 to 1985, the State Department Web site said. |
| According to the State Department, five American ambassadors had been killed by terrorists before the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi. The most recent was Adolph Dubs, killed after being kidnapped in Afghanistan in 1979. The others were John Gordon Mein, in Guatemala in 1968; Cleo A. Noel Jr., in Sudan in 1973; Rodger P. Davies, in Cyprus in 1974; and Francis E. Meloy Jr., in Lebanon in 1976. | According to the State Department, five American ambassadors had been killed by terrorists before the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi. The most recent was Adolph Dubs, killed after being kidnapped in Afghanistan in 1979. The others were John Gordon Mein, in Guatemala in 1968; Cleo A. Noel Jr., in Sudan in 1973; Rodger P. Davies, in Cyprus in 1974; and Francis E. Meloy Jr., in Lebanon in 1976. |
Peter Baker reported from Washington, David D. Kirkpatrick from Cairo and Alan Cowell from London. Reporting was contributed by Suliman Ali Zway from Tripoli, Libya; Steven Lee Myers, John H. Cushman Jr. and Elisabeth Bumiller from Washington; Rachel Donadio from Rome; Isabel Kershner from Jerusalem; and Christine Hauser and Rick Gladstone from New York. | Peter Baker reported from Washington, David D. Kirkpatrick from Cairo and Alan Cowell from London. Reporting was contributed by Suliman Ali Zway from Tripoli, Libya; Steven Lee Myers, John H. Cushman Jr. and Elisabeth Bumiller from Washington; Rachel Donadio from Rome; Isabel Kershner from Jerusalem; and Christine Hauser and Rick Gladstone from New York. |
| This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: | This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: |
| Correction: September 12, 2012 | Correction: September 12, 2012 |
An earlier version of this article misstated Mohammed Magarief’s position. He is the president of Libya’s National Assembly, not Libya’s interim president. | An earlier version of this article misstated Mohammed Magarief’s position. He is the president of Libya’s National Assembly, not Libya’s interim president. |