US ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens
The US ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, is reported to have been killed in an attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya in a protest over a US-produced film posted on the internet that is claimed to insult the Prophet Muhammad.
In the attack unidentified armed men breached the grounds of the consulate, overwhelming the armed guards, shooting at the buildings and throwing home-made bombs. Stevens is reported to have died from suffocation in the attack, although little more information has been released.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said:
I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on our mission in Benghazi today. As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack.
This evening, I called Libyan President Magariaf to coordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya. President Magariaf expressed his condemnation and condolences and pledged his government’s full cooperation.
Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. 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.
In light of the events of today, the United States government is working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions, and American citizens worldwide.
Initial reports blamed the attack on the Ansar al-Sharia brigade, but the group has denied responsibility.
There are many guns and other weaponry in Libya still after the uprising that overthrew Col Muammar Gaddafi last year.
The film that sparked the protest is claimed to have been produced by a US citizen from California, Sam Becile, and promoted by an expatriate Egyptian Coptic – both said to hold anti-Islamic views. A trailer of the film, which is described as highly provocative and insulting to Muslims was uploaded to YouTube and translated into Arabic.
Protests about the film have already spread to Cairo where protesters tore down the US flag, and could spread further within the Islamic world.
