US envoy, three others killed in Libya attack

BENGHAZI (Libya): The United States ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff were killed in a rocket attack on their car, a Libyan official said, as they were rushed from a consular building stormed by militants denouncing a US-made film insulting Prophet Muhammad.

Gunmen had attacked and burned the US consulate in this eastern city, a centre of last year’s uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, on Tuesday evening, killing one US consular official. The building was evacuated.

The Libyan official said the ambassador, Christopher Stevens, was being driven from the consulate building to a safer location when gunmen opened fire.

"The American ambassador and three staff members were killed when gunmen fired rockets at them," the official said.

President Barack Obama quickly ordered increased security at US diplomatic missions around the world, while slamming Tuesday's deadly assault in Benghazi, , that coincided with the anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks in the US.

"I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including ambassador Chris Stevens," Obama said in a White House statement.

"I have directed my administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe," he added.

Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Abu Shagour condemned the killings as a cowardly act.

Stevens had died after clashes erupted between Libyan security forces and militants at the consulate building. Looters raided the empty compound and some onlookers took pictures after calm returned.

In Cairo, demonstrators had torn down an American flag and burned it during the protest.

In this city, the crowd of about 2,000 protesters was a mixture of Islamists and football fans known for fighting police and who played a part in the revolt that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak last year.

The fortress-like US mission was near Tahrir Square, where Egypt's uprising began and the scene of many protests since. Youths danced and chanted football songs.

"We sacrificed dozens and hundreds during the uprising for our dignity. The prophet's dignity is more important to us and we are ready to sacrifice millions," said mosque preacher Mohamed Abu Gabal who joined the protest.

US pastor Terry Jones, who had inflamed anger in the Muslim world in 2010 with plans to burn the Quran, said he had promoted Innocence of Muslims, which US media said was produced by an Israeli-American property developer.

But clips of another film called Muhammad, Prophet of Muslims, had been circulating for weeks before the protest.

Libya's interim government has struggled to impose its authority on armed groups that had refused to lay down their weapons and often take the law into their own hands.

It was clearly overwhelmed by Tuesday night's attack on the consulate that preceded the assault on the ambassador.

"The Libyan security forces came under heavy fire and we were not prepared for the intensity of the attack," said Abdel-Monem Al-Hurr, spokesman for Libya's Supreme Security Committee.

Yesterday, the compound stood empty, with passers-by walking in to take a look at the damage. A small group of men was trying to extinguish the flames and three security men briefly surveyed the scene.

Blood stains could also be seen in front of one of the buildings. Three cars were torched. Agencies

A vehicle is engulfed in flames after it was set on fire in the United States consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya, on Tuesday. late on September 11, 2012. An armed mob protesting over a film they said offended Islam, attacked the US consulate in Benghazi and set fire to the building, killing one American, witnesses and officials said AFP pic

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US envoy, three others killed in Libya attack

BENGHAZI (Libya): The United States ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff were killed in a rocket attack on their car, a Libyan official said, as they were rushed from a consular building stormed by militants denouncing a US-made film insulting Prophet Muhammad.

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