Washington, Sept 12: US President Barack Obama today condemned as “outrageous” the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi that killed the American Ambassador and three other US nationals and vowed to step up security “at all our diplomatic posts around the globe.”
“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 statement released by the White House in thee first official confirmation about the death of the Ambassador in Libya.
In the statement Obama said he has ordered for increased security at all US diplomatic posts across the globe.
“Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives,” he said.
Obama said he has directed his Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of its personnel in Libya, and to increase security at American diplomatic posts around the globe.
“While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants,” Obama said.
Stevens was a career diplomat who spoke Arabic and French and had served two terms in Libya, including running the Benghazi office during the revolt against Muammar Gaddafi. He was confirmed as Ambassador to Libya by the Senate earlier this year.
Libyan officials said Stevens was killed when he went to the consulate to evacuate the staff besieged by the frenzied mob.
On a personal note, Obama in his condolence said Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the US.
