US ambassador in Libya killed in rocket attack while fleeing protest over Mohamed film, claims official
Samia Nakhoul , Marie-Louise Gumuchian
Wednesday 12 September 2012
The US ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff were killed in a rocket attack last night that targeted his car in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, a Libyan official said on today.
"The American ambassador and three staff members were killed when gunmen fired rockets at them," the official in Benghazi told Reuters. Asked about the deaths, a US Embassy employee in Tripoli said: "We have no information regarding this." The employee said the embassy could confirm the death of one person.
The Libyan official said the US ambassador had been on his way to a safer venue after protesters attacked the US Consulate in Benghazi and opened fire, killing a staff member, in protest at a US film that they deemed blasphemous to the Prophet Mohamed.
The official said the ambassador and three other staff were killed when gunmen fired rockets at his car. He said the US Embassy had sent a military plane to transport the bodies to Tripoli to fly them to the United States.
Gunmen assaulted the Benghazi compound yesterday evening, clashing with Libyan security forces, who withdrew under heavy fire. The attackers fired at the buildings while others threw handmade bombs into the compound, setting off small explosions. Small fires were burning around the compound.
The assault followed a protest in neighbouring Egypt where demonstrators scaled the walls of the US embassy, tore down the American flag and burned it during a protest over the same film which they said insulted the Prophet Mohamed.
Reuters
Anti-Islam filmmaker in hiding after protests
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An Israeli filmmaker based in California went into hiding Tuesday after his movie attacking Islam's prophet Muhammad sparked angry assaults by ultra-conservative Muslims on U.S. missions in Egypt and Libya, where one American was killed.
Speaking by phone from an undisclosed location, writer and director Sam Bacile remained defiant, saying Islam is a cancer and that the 56-year-old intended his film to be a provocative political statement condemning the religion.
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Well I hope this can be worked through without sending in military forces from the U.S.
The embassy compound was stormed and their car was hit by what is believed to be a rocket propelled grenade as they attempted to escape.Wonder what happened? Typically the embassy's are protected with a contingent of marines, no? Would have thought they would have kept the ambassador under wraps. Not knocking anyone just interested to hear what really happened.
I'm curious about this too. You would think that an embassy in Libya, of all places, would be hardened somehow.Wonder what happened? Typically the embassy's are protected with a contingent of marines, no?
But that's sort of the question. How does an embassy get overrun like this? The kind of people who do the storming are no match for US Marines.The embassy compound was stormed and their car was hit by what is believed to be a rocket propelled grenade as they attempted to escape.Wonder what happened? Typically the embassy's are protected with a contingent of marines, no? Would have thought they would have kept the ambassador under wraps. Not knocking anyone just interested to hear what really happened.
How is that relevant?From what I heard over the radio, this movie was financed by that same fun-loving dude who burned the Qu'run on television, Pastor Terry Jones. The film features Muhammad having lewd sex and behaving rather badly.
He heard it on the radio, guy.How is that relevant?From what I heard over the radio, this movie was financed by that same fun-loving dude who burned the Qu'run on television, Pastor Terry Jones. The film features Muhammad having lewd sex and behaving rather badly.
Definitely worth murdering someone who had nothing to do with it.From what I heard over the radio, this movie was financed by that same fun-loving dude who burned the Qu'run on television, Pastor Terry Jones. The film features Muhammad having lewd sex and behaving rather badly.
I thought it was interesting that the movie was made by this same guy. Doesn't excuse anything.How is that relevant?From what I heard over the radio, this movie was financed by that same fun-loving dude who burned the Qu'run on television, Pastor Terry Jones. The film features Muhammad having lewd sex and behaving rather badly.
There are only a handful of Marines for each embassy, about 1000 total worldwide. They are tough but there's not much they can do against a mass assault.A lot of people just do not understand how vulnerable we really are. I'm still amazed at those who expressed shock that we weren't able to shoot down the various highjacked aircraft on 9-11. We have no immediate response capability to any threat to the continguous United States other than a nuclear response. Most of our 'security' is established from the threat of retaliation, not any true on-spot defensive ability.But that's sort of the question. How does an embassy get overrun like this? The kind of people who do the storming are no match for US Marines.The embassy compound was stormed and their car was hit by what is believed to be a rocket propelled grenade as they attempted to escape.Wonder what happened? Typically the embassy's are protected with a contingent of marines, no? Would have thought they would have kept the ambassador under wraps. Not knocking anyone just interested to hear what really happened.
He for sure deserved to die then. Next up for execution; Bill Maher, David Letterman, and Rush Limbaugh.From what I heard over the radio, this movie was financed by that same fun-loving dude who burned the Qu'run on television, Pastor Terry Jones. The film features Muhammad having lewd sex and behaving rather badly.
Whoah. Slow down. Let's get confirmation first that the ambassador really was killed and how the whole thing went down before we start making assumptions. Right now, according to that story, all we have is the word of a Libyan official. Not saying it didn't happen, but I'd like to get more details. In Cairo, a crowd gathered in front of the Embassy, the Marines pointed their guns, and the crowd dispersed.There are only a handful of Marines for each embassy, about 1000 total worldwide. They are tough but there's not much they can do against a mass assault.A lot of people just do not understand how vulnerable we really are. I'm still amazed at those who expressed shock that we weren't able to shoot down the various highjacked aircraft on 9-11. We have no immediate response capability to any threat to the continguous United States other than a nuclear response. Most of our 'security' is established from the threat of retaliation, not any true on-spot defensive ability.
Wut?There are only a handful of Marines for each embassy, about 1000 total worldwide. They are tough but there's not much they can do against a mass assault.A lot of people just do not understand how vulnerable we really are. I'm still amazed at those who expressed shock that we weren't able to shoot down the various highjacked aircraft on 9-11. We have no immediate response capability to any threat to the continguous United States other than a nuclear response. Most of our 'security' is established from the threat of retaliation, not any true on-spot defensive ability.But that's sort of the question. How does an embassy get overrun like this? The kind of people who do the storming are no match for US Marines.The embassy compound was stormed and their car was hit by what is believed to be a rocket propelled grenade as they attempted to escape.Wonder what happened? Typically the embassy's are protected with a contingent of marines, no? Would have thought they would have kept the ambassador under wraps. Not knocking anyone just interested to hear what really happened.
Totally agree..Should have been out of Libya long ago.I feel sorry for the guy and his family, but there are some jobs you just say no to.
It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
The only thing that was pathetic was the actual statement that was released:
Now the White House and the Stare Department is walking this back saying they had nothing to do with this; just curious, who in charge in this administration.The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others
We should have no American officials in Libya whatsoever?Totally agree..Should have been out of Libya long ago.I feel sorry for the guy and his family, but there are some jobs you just say no to.
True ... but I doubt the governments will do anything about it. They will just look the other way.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
Bomb MeccaIt wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
You might not like that statement, and the State Department can deny issuing it or try to walk it back, but it was absolutely necessary. The first priority in these situations is to calm people down. These fanatics are associating this idiotic film with the United States as a whole, and it's imperative, for the sake of saving further American lives in the Middle East, to create a distance between the two.The only thing that was pathetic was the actual statement that was released:[q]The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others[/q]
Now the White House and the Stare Department is walking this back saying they had nothing to do with this; just curious, who in charge in this administration.
Exactly. I went to the embassy in Tanzania and it was like Fort Knox in there.I'm curious about this too. You would think that an embassy in Libya, of all places, would be hardened somehow.Wonder what happened? Typically the embassy's are protected with a contingent of marines, no?
But the Libyan government has the obligation to protect the US Embassy. They failed in this and it resulted in the death of the US Ambassador.Its a big deal.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
What should they do?True ... but I doubt the governments will do anything about it. They will just look the other way.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
It's an embassy.Totally agree..Should have been out of Libya long ago.I feel sorry for the guy and his family, but there are some jobs you just say no to.
What would you have us do about it? Shall we invade Libya? Replace the government there? Cut off all aid and allow a rabid Islamist regime to take over?But the Libyan government has the obligation to protect the US Embassy. They failed in this and it resulted in the death of the US Ambassador.Its a big deal.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
Did you get your confirmation yet?Whoah. Slow down. Let's get confirmation first that the ambassador really was killed and how the whole thing went down before we start making assumptions. Right now, according to that story, all we have is the word of a Libyan official. Not saying it didn't happen, but I'd like to get more details. In Cairo, a crowd gathered in front of the Embassy, the Marines pointed their guns, and the crowd dispersed.There are only a handful of Marines for each embassy, about 1000 total worldwide. They are tough but there's not much they can do against a mass assault.A lot of people just do not understand how vulnerable we really are. I'm still amazed at those who expressed shock that we weren't able to shoot down the various highjacked aircraft on 9-11. We have no immediate response capability to any threat to the continguous United States other than a nuclear response. Most of our 'security' is established from the threat of retaliation, not any true on-spot defensive ability.
Yes. Thanks.Did you get your confirmation yet?Whoah. Slow down. Let's get confirmation first that the ambassador really was killed and how the whole thing went down before we start making assumptions. Right now, according to that story, all we have is the word of a Libyan official. Not saying it didn't happen, but I'd like to get more details. In Cairo, a crowd gathered in front of the Embassy, the Marines pointed their guns, and the crowd dispersed.There are only a handful of Marines for each embassy, about 1000 total worldwide. They are tough but there's not much they can do against a mass assault.A lot of people just do not understand how vulnerable we really are. I'm still amazed at those who expressed shock that we weren't able to shoot down the various highjacked aircraft on 9-11. We have no immediate response capability to any threat to the continguous United States other than a nuclear response. Most of our 'security' is established from the threat of retaliation, not any true on-spot defensive ability.
Fortify the oil producing region as the rest of the country slips into somalia mode.We should have no American officials in Libya whatsoever?Totally agree..Should have been out of Libya long ago.I feel sorry for the guy and his family, but there are some jobs you just say no to.
The current government in Libya is the one that just took over in a revolution that we supported, right?What would you have us do about it? Shall we invade Libya? Replace the government there? Cut off all aid and allow a rabid Islamist regime to take over?But the Libyan government has the obligation to protect the US Embassy. They failed in this and it resulted in the death of the US Ambassador.Its a big deal.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
The reports indicate that Egypt embassy statement was released before the protests at that embassy (and before the protests at the Libyan embassy that resulted in the death of the ambassador).The only thing that was pathetic was the actual statement that was released:Now the White House and the Stare Department is walking this back saying they had nothing to do with this; just curious, who in charge in this administration.The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others
Yes. That's my point. It seems to me some posters are implying that, by "allowing" this to happen, the Libyans have declared war on us.And Romney has already stated openly that the Obama response is weak. So I'm asking: what should our response be?The current government in Libya is the one that just took over in a revolution that we supported, right?What would you have us do about it? Shall we invade Libya? Replace the government there? Cut off all aid and allow a rabid Islamist regime to take over?But the Libyan government has the obligation to protect the US Embassy. They failed in this and it resulted in the death of the US Ambassador.Its a big deal.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
Tim, I can't believe that you actually typed this but I'll play along; do you think that this statement really calmed anyone down? Try to remember these people were crazed enough that they stormed an armed embassy; do you think they cared about a press release? They do not understand that the government of the U.S. has no association with the film makers; with all that in hand you do not release a statement basically justifying the anger of the people attacking our embassies.You might not like that statement, and the State Department can deny issuing it or try to walk it back, but it was absolutely necessary. The first priority in these situations is to calm people down. These fanatics are associating this idiotic film with the United States as a whole, and it's imperative, for the sake of saving further American lives in the Middle East, to create a distance between the two.The only thing that was pathetic was the actual statement that was released:[q]The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others[/q]
Now the White House and the Stare Department is walking this back saying they had nothing to do with this; just curious, who in charge in this administration.
Hello, exactly.The proper response from this admin will be to apologize for our sinfulness.The current government in Libya is the one that just took over in a revolution that we supported, right?What would you have us do about it? Shall we invade Libya? Replace the government there? Cut off all aid and allow a rabid Islamist regime to take over?But the Libyan government has the obligation to protect the US Embassy. They failed in this and it resulted in the death of the US Ambassador.Its a big deal.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
No. There's nothing the US can do.What would you have us do about it? Shall we invade Libya? Replace the government there? Cut off all aid and allow a rabid Islamist regime to take over?But the Libyan government has the obligation to protect the US Embassy. They failed in this and it resulted in the death of the US Ambassador.Its a big deal.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
You are reading too much into my post. I was simply responding to you saying that this was not the action of a government. The reality is - this is not only the responsibility of the idiots on the street - its also the responsibility of the Libyan government. They are responsible for the death of a US ambassador.What should the US do about it? Demand an apology. Beef up security. That's about it.But that doesn't mean its not a big deal. It is.Yes. That's my point. It seems to me some posters are implying that, by "allowing" this to happen, the Libyans have declared war on us.And Romney has already stated openly that the Obama response is weak. So I'm asking: what should our response be?The current government in Libya is the one that just took over in a revolution that we supported, right?What would you have us do about it? Shall we invade Libya? Replace the government there? Cut off all aid and allow a rabid Islamist regime to take over?But the Libyan government has the obligation to protect the US Embassy. They failed in this and it resulted in the death of the US Ambassador.Its a big deal.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.
Outside of beefing up security a little, which still won't be a guarantee of future safety, this seems about right to me.What do some of you want us to do?No. There's nothing the US can do.What would you have us do about it? Shall we invade Libya? Replace the government there? Cut off all aid and allow a rabid Islamist regime to take over?But the Libyan government has the obligation to protect the US Embassy. They failed in this and it resulted in the death of the US Ambassador.Its a big deal.It wasn't the action of a government, or by anyone sponsored by a government, so far as we know. It was apparently the action of some very religious fanatics who take insults to Islam far too seriously. Obviously we've always known these people are out there and prevalent in Islamic countries. Not sure what if anything we can do about it.This is a pretty big deal.