Obama tightens security on diplomatic offices following death of U.S. envoy to Libya

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – President Barack Obama strongly condemned the attack on the U.S. consulate building in Benghazi, Libya that resulted in the death of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other American embassy workers. He has instructed various diplomatic posts all over the world to increase security.

In his speech at the White House’s Rose Garden on Wednesday morning, the president described the attack as “outrageous and shocking”. U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens was among those who were killed along with three others.

The president reassured Libya that its ties with the U.S. remain strong and said that the latest attacks must not break the bonds of the two countries.

Stevens died in the eastern city of Benghazi on Tuesday following an attack by a group of people on the American consulate building. The embassy officials died in the hands of protesting Libyans who joined the riot sparked by a private American video that reportedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad.

Obama also expressed his disappointment as he felt it was a tragic end for Stevens who died in the same city he worked hard to save during the early weeks of the revolution.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was beside the president when he delivered his speech in the Rose Garden.

The president admitted that he and Sec. Clinton relied many times on Stevens’ valuable insights about Libya the rest of the Arab world.

Obama highlighted Steven’s achievements during the revolution that helped bring the country to democracy. He described Stevens as a deserving representative of the U.S. for his courageous and exemplary service as a diplomat.

The ambassador was fluent in Arabic and French and his diplomatic missions included stints in the Middle East and North Africa.

---

---