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11:14 a.m. September 27, 2012
Isakson, Corker Demand Answers From State Department Over Attacks in Libya That Killed U.S. Ambassador Stevens, Three Other Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn., both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demanding more details regarding the increasing threats and security concerns that preceded the Sept. 11, 2012 attacks on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya resulting in the death of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens.

In his letter to Clinton, the Senators stated "While we appreciate your participation in the briefing to the U.S. Senate last week, we are extremely concerned about conflicting reports over the events leading up to the attacks. Specifically, we are concerned over the apparent lack of security preparations made despite a demonstrable increase in risks to U.S. officials and facilities in Benghazi in the period leading up to the attacks."

The senators' letter comes in the wake of conflicting reports from the Administration about the events leading up to the attacks, as well as recent news reports that Ambassador Stevens kept a diary chronicling his concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Benghazi prior to the Sept. 11, 2012 attacks.

Their letter further stated "Libyan officials claim that that they met with U.S. officials regarding rising threats against Western officials in the days leading up to the attacks, and CNN reports that Ambassador Stevens was increasingly concerned over the deteriorating security situation in Benghazi and rising levels of Islamist extremism. Despite these warnings, the State Department sought and received a waiver from the standard security requirements for the consulate."

Specifically, Isakson and Corker request in the letter that the State Department promptly provide the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with all communication relevant to the security situation in Benghazi between the U.S. Mission to Libya and the State Department leading up to the attacks, including any cables sent from Ambassador Stevens.

Published September 27, 2012

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