Government

Libyan Security Officials: We Warned U.S. Three Days Before Benghazi Attack

Libya consulate

A vehicle and the surrounding buildings burn after they were set on fire inside the U.S. consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, 2012. (Getty Images)

Libyan security officials say American diplomats were warned about potential violent unrest in Benghazi three days before U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his staff were killed in a fiery attack on the U.S. consulate, The Independent reports.

This information comes after Libya’s interim President Mohammed el-Megarif said his government obtained information that suggests the attack on the American consulate was coordinated by a radical Islamist group with ties to Al-Qaida,

But officials in the U.S., including U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice, continue to insist that the killings were the result of spontaneous protests that erupted after an anti-Muslim video was posted on YouTube.

More from The Independent:

The Independent has reported diplomatic sources who said that the threat of an attack against US interests in the region was known to the US administration 48 hours before it took place. The alert was issued by the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, but not made public. A State Department spokesman maintained: “We are not aware of any actionable intelligence indicating that an attack on the US Mission in Benghazi was planned or imminent.”

But President Megarif told the American station National Public Radio: “We firmly believe that this was a pre-calculated, pre-planned attack that was carried out specifically to attack the US Consulate. A few of those who joined in were foreigners who had entered Libya from different directions, some of them definitely from Mali and Algeria.”

A senior official of the biggest militia in Benghazi, the February 17th Brigade, told CNN that he had warned US diplomats of a rapidly deteriorating security situation in Benghazi three days before the attack. “The situation is frightening, it scares us,” he said he had stressed during the meeting. Mr Stevens had been back in Libya for only a short time before US security officials decided it would be safe to make the journey to Benghazi during the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The British consulate in the city was shut after an ambush of a convoy carrying Dominic Asquith, the UK ambassador, in which his bodyguard were injured. The UN and International Committee of the Red Cross offices had been bombed and there had been a spate of political assassinations.

But Rice and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney continue to deny that the Benghazi attack was planned ahead of time or that it was directed at America or the Obama administration.

“Our current best assessment… is that… it was a spontaneous – not a premeditated – response to what had transpired in Cairo,” Rice said. “A small number of people came to the consulate. It seems to have been hijacked by some individual clusters of extremists who came with heavier weapons… And it then evolved from there.”

Carney said on Friday that the attacks and protests in the Middle East were not directed at the “the administration,” the “American people” or U.S. policy.

Though some of the Americans escaped from the consulate and made it to a so-called “safe house” at a secret location, Stevens was reportedly taken to the hospital by a group of Libyans, where doctors say he died from smoke inhalation. The Americans at the safe house also came under mortar fire.

Captain Fathi al-Obeidi, who had taken an eight-strong American rescue team which had arrived from Tripoli to the safe house, said the attack was far too sophisticated and efficient for an impromptu attack.

“I don’t know how they found the place to carry out the attack. It was planned, the accuracy with which the mortars hit us was too good for any ordinary revolutionaries,” he said.

Additionally, Libya’s national congress said on Sunday that roughly 50 people had been arrested in connection with the Benghazi attack, however, the country’s interior ministry put the figure at a lower number.

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Comments (95)

  • TIME_THE_AVENGER
    Posted on September 18, 2012 at 1:39am

    48 hrs. to 72 hrs. to time immemorial. Whats the diff? “c’mon, c’mon, c’mon – let’s go space truckin’ !” The story about the warp drive has nothin’ on THESE FRIGGIN’ LIARS!!!!! I strongly suggest banishment to the Phantom Zone.

    Report this comment

    TIME_THE_AVENGER  
    • cessna152
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 10:19am

      The “Declaration of Independence”:

      We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.

      Report this comment

      cessna152  
    • JRook
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 11:14am

      “Libyan security officials say American diplomats were warned about potential violent unrest in Benghazi three days before U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his staff were killed in a fiery attack on the U.S. consulate” If this is true than GB great insight into America being set up really is nothing more than a statement of the obvious. Don’t think you can have it both way, except perhaps with the folks here who are a tad slower.

      Report this comment

      JRook  
  • eisenman0311
    Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:28am

    Why isn’t asking the main question, “Why didn’t the Marine return fire?”

    Are the liberal delegates disarming the Marines in the hot spots of the world?

    Report this comment

    eisenman0311  
    • DarkJello
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:37am

      Returning fire would have “sparked” further violence??

      It would be convenient for the warped and wicked cult if we all just died!!!

      Report this comment

      DarkJello  
    • Chuck7884
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 2:22am

      The main question is 4 dead.Since the Ambassador is dead and not at the Embassy where is his motorcade? Arrived at Benghazi by chopper they use more than one and would have had more security than 3 in either case.Even using the locals the Ambassador would have more than 3 people with him unless you consider an ambassador a nobody.

      Report this comment

      Chuck7884  
    • jst1425
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 5:30am

      http://www.TWWUS.com

      Report this comment

      jst1425  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 6:54am

      First, there were NO Marines stationed at the Embassy in Libya. Second, the Marines that were at other embassies were not allowed ammuniton for their weapons. Does that answer your question?

      My question is, it’s coming out now that the embassador was gay. Why would you send a gay man to a country that kills gays? What did he know and who was he about to “out?”

      Report this comment

      loriann12  
  • The_Obama-Romney_Ticket
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:37pm

    “Libyan Security Officials: We Warned U.S. Three Days Before Benghazi Attack … We firmly believe that this was a pre-calculated, pre-planned attack that was carried out specifically to attack the US Consulate.”

    And we Americans firmly believe that this was a pre-calculated, pre-planned conspiracy that was carried out specifically by the marxist Obama’s White House communists.

    Report this comment

    The_Obama-Romney_Ticket  
    • stevetherealist
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 11:12am

      Do us a favor and speak for yourself. I for one do not wish to be included in your hysteria.

      Report this comment

      stevetherealist  
    • Zipit
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 6:20pm

      STEVETHERENALIST! I actually think that T_O-R_T might be on to something, for a change!! And, by the way, (Steve). Are you related to MaryBethElizabeth? Because, after reading a few of your posts, you sure sound a lot like her!

      Report this comment

      Zipit  
  • Jeanne2010
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:34pm

    This takes me back to Bob Woodward’s last book (not the one that just came out). I remember him describing an interview he had with BO saying something like “America can handle another hit,” and Woodward saying how shocked he was to hear that coming from a President.

    Report this comment

    Jeanne2010  
  • team1blazer
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:15pm

    This administration has NO credibility on ANY front. If you vote for Obama this time around, you deserve what you will get. Buckle up folks, the manure is about to hit the ventilator.

    Report this comment

    team1blazer  
  • StrongWesternbabeluvinherWesternMAN
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:02pm

    we are all preaching to the choir here……tweet this to your liberal friends…go on CNN, MSNBC and copy and paste this…..I have been doing this for the last few weeks…there other websites that have a left bending political branch…..they also have readers who are in the middle and don’t get the truth….do it spend the time to spread the truth……

    Report this comment

    StrongWesternbabeluvinherWesternMAN  
  • Case_Logic
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:59pm

    Obama as good as killed them! His Whitehouse knew the dangers but did nothing. Now the liberal media is in hyper spin trying to cover for him.

    Report this comment

    Case_Logic  
    • DarkJello
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:06pm

      They get big, fat salaries. This allows them to buy meds, so they can sleep at night.

      Report this comment

      DarkJello  
  • woodyee
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:57pm

    Well, whaddayano? Gaybama’s own Libyan “friend” finked him out. I wonder what kind of baffling bullpile Gaybama or his administration will project tomorrow in defense of their current spate of lies?

    Why won’t Gaybama almost never take questions after an exercise with the teleprompter? Maybe he’s afraid someone might ask

    “Yo homey! I mean, erah, Mr. President, who armed the Libyan mobs?” Heehee! Can’t wait to see who Moochelle will be dating after the New Year! No doubt who Gaybama will be dating – Chrissy Tingles…

    Report this comment

    woodyee  
  • pudssweetie
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:52pm

    Marybethelizabeth, I love how you come in here, drop a turd bomb then run like a little sissy and not debate. The Blaze is not late unlike you who always seems to be a day late and a fry short of a happy meal. The Blaze has been reporting that these attacks did not happen because of the movie trailer on You Tube and in fact did read a couple days ago on The Blaze that these attacks were planned ahead of 9/11 Anniversary. The only thing that the Blaze did not report was why and for what reason these attacks happened other than it being the 11th anniversary of 9/11.

    If you would spend more time reading the actual articles instead of making dumb comments based on the Headline, you may just learn a thing or two.

    Report this comment

    pudssweetie  
    • 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:02pm

      Do you realize you just suggested that a mindless liberal actually become informed and make an intelligent comment? Don’t hold your breath.

      Report this comment

      2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT  
    • DarkJello
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:05pm

      She wants to remain willfully ignorant or just likes trolling.

      Either way, we get more reliable news from SNL than from Marybeth de la Blaze

      Report this comment

      DarkJello  
    • pudssweetie
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:19pm

      I know, but I do hold out for hope though ;)

      Report this comment

      pudssweetie  
    • barber2
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:29pm

      But : they are all Trolls who are sent here on a mission : to insult, to annoy, to dishearten , but certainly not to enlighten because they are all brainwashed little Lefty parrots who have no insight just memorized little phrases … They are Obama Talking Parrots…

      Report this comment

      barber2  
    • TIME_THE_AVENGER
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 1:33am

      Brain transplants or personality transfers are still on the medical horizon. I’ll bet Oboy’s whitecoats are trying like hell to channel Dr. Mengele…

      Report this comment

      TIME_THE_AVENGER  
  • barber2
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:49pm

    Bet Obama missed the message. Like the meetings . Campaigning much ?

    Report this comment

    barber2  
  • Wool-Free Vision
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:48pm

    I never thought I would see the day when I would feel more inclined to believe a Libyan government mouthpiece than our own State Department, President, and (incoming triple-oxymoron!) American news media. Yet here we are.

    Libyan lying snakes are more trustworthy than American lying snakes! Welcome to Bizarro America, brought to you by corruption, cowardice, and Marxists – the three crap tastes that taste crappy together!

    Report this comment

    Wool-Free Vision  
  • burningsodium
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:42pm

    this needs to be bullhorned everywhere and everyday till it is put on ALL the news here. Impeach that little arrogant runt.

    Report this comment

    burningsodium  
  • SolitudeBliss
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:41pm

    Gee, wonder if there were any spontaneous protests whenever Joe Biden goes running around shouting “Osama is DEAD, GM is ALIVE” Bleep all of them.

    Report this comment

    SolitudeBliss  
  • needmoinfo
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:41pm

    No surprise. And Iran warned Israel and that is being ignored too. Ignore all threats and spill all the beans. How is that working out for us so far?

    Report this comment

    needmoinfo  
  • Wango
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:39pm

    Here’s all you nee to know:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asB83_C0pdg

    And you’re whining about 3 days and 4 deaths? STFU. Not a leg to stand on.

    Report this comment

    Wango  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:04pm

      @Wango
      “Here’s all you nee to know:”

      Hey Wango, I already know everything I need to know about you. BTW, it’s “need” and not “nee”. You SFTMSOB. LOL at you troll…..

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • DarkJello
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:11pm

      @wango:

      I am not interested in the snake oil you be selling. Truth > lies sir.

      Report this comment

      DarkJello  
    • DarkJello
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:14pm

      @wango:

      LMBO! Sure glad Obama never uses executive privilege! LMBO! /sarcasm

      Report this comment

      DarkJello  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:16pm

      WANG, Interesting bit of video. Are you aware that at the time of the August briefings Gen Colin Powell was the Secretary of State? Rice may not have been privy to all of the details before she became the Sec/State in ’05. As for possible terrorist activity in the states, we were getting certain briefings while I was still in the Army and I retired 16 years ago. Back in the day when then Senator Al Gore was questioning LTC Ollie North, North revealed to him that the terrorist bin Laden concerned him the most for a possible attack inside the U.S. That was back in the ’80s. Furthermore, a briefing in August ’01 would still be lacking information because of the Clinton Admin which had early on when he a Democrat Congress had outlawed the FBI from sharing intelligence information with the CIA and NSA. Think it sounds absurd? Look it up. So, since the CIA could not learn what was happening inside the USA, and the FBI could not learn what was happening outside back then, it’s difficult to put 2 & 2 together and get the correct answer.
      Okay SIMP, things are far more layered than you want us to believe. Next time do some real research and remember that some of us lived through a lot of this and paid attention.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • Wool-Free Vision
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:18pm

      Hi Monk, that was a nice acronym you were sporting. The best thing is that I understood ever bit of it without even trying. Well said.

      Report this comment

      Wool-Free Vision  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:28pm

      WANG, Oh yeah, you have to consider how questions are put together. Its like being in a court of law. A lawyer should know to never ask a question that he already does not know the true answer. Having conducted interrogations myself I can almost positively say that he was asking her questions similar to the old cliche “Ar you still beating you wife senator?” So, his questions likely only hit on parts of what she was expected to know. But, if you want to observe a number of political pack of lies, just watch videos of Debbie Wassaman-Schultz. I bet you think that the entire Republican Party and the Reagan administration were found guilty of Iran – Contra Affiar? Not a thing was ever proven by the Democrats. A made up story, you know like Bush 41 having been flown out there in a secret SR71 to close the deal, and Reagan was not in office yet? It was pure BS. But, every so often the Dem-wits talk about it as if it actually happened. Yeah, yeah, you guys had those good intentions, so it had to be true right?

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:31pm

      Dang, Hi MONK, forgot to mention how funny that was. I was sort of busy there remembering things.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
  • MadAsHeII
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:35pm

    Maybe we should start listening to this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU5EnCnMGYQ&feature=youtu.be

    Report this comment

    MadAsHeII  
    • U.N.hater
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:52pm

      Everyone should click on this link and listen to it. Sounds to me like the U.N. is running this country.Sometimes the house is to far gone to repair and you have to tear it down to the foundation and rebuild.

      Report this comment

      U.N.hater  
  • MadAsHeII
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:28pm

    They were talking about this in Toronto, Saturday on Sun News http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M86ndC4V7EQ&feature=youtu.be

    The media in the U.S. needs to stop being so party line an start reporting the truth in news.

    Report this comment

    MadAsHeII  
    • 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:45pm

      Dream on.

      Report this comment

      2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:42pm

      We have been getting that info about 36 hours after it all occurred. Naturally, not from the Lame Stream Media that most of us have known about long before you arrived. But, it is good to see you with your finger on a real pulse this time. No need to knock the source, because he is spot on. But, as 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT said, dream on when it comes to asking our media to be the watch dog they are supposed to be. They are so in the bag for the left.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:22pm

    You have to give Obama a pass on this one. How could he have known about the attack if he doesnt even show up for National Security meetings

    Report this comment

    dealer@678  
    • needmoinfo
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 3:54pm

      He is in **** and make up for some very important engagement. Romney gets security briefings now but can’t do anything until the last week of January. If Valerie Jarrett were ambassadore to Libya I bet Obama would have taken a moment in his fun filled jet setting to get her a ticket out of there. Come on. The guy only has two hands.

      Report this comment

      needmoinfo  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:21pm

    We cannot trust our government at all.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • 1casawizard
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:35pm

      @SNOW. Sad, but true. We’ll live through it. A better day’s coming, but not today.

      Report this comment

      1casawizard  
  • Gregb
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:20pm

    oh no… obama and his political machine has told everyone that this was a spontaneous outbreak!

    Can we please have a regime change in November? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

    Report this comment

    Gregb  
  • marine249
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:18pm

    Ans still, this information isn’t in the headline.
    =============================================
    And it will never make the headline on, msnbs, abc, cbs,
    nbc, cnn, or any of rthe lift-wing nuts newspapers.

    Report this comment

    marine249  
  • mharry860
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:13pm

    This lying ass administration has to go down!

    Report this comment

    mharry860  
  • PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:12pm

    Obama and everyone involved with him are a bunch of Control FREAKS. They are out of their minds bad. So are the so called 47% that would vote for another 4 years of this insanity.

    Report this comment

    PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
    • Emudude
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 6:53am

      Mitt Romney said yesterday at a Campaign Stop that it is the 47% that Don’t Pay Taxes that are in the Tank for Obama because they get the Government Check. The Dems Exploded on that one. He He He…

      Report this comment

      Emudude  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:12pm

    But they didn’t say Simon Says. You have to know the game Obama is playing, and if you don’t say the super secret word, he just runs to the golf course and won’t listen to you. Why do you think Hillary stayed thousands of miles away, she was tired of playing “I spy with my little eye…..” and pull my finger.

    Besides, he had a donor he wanted to play “Hide the sausage” with. He was really cute.

    Report this comment

    Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • marybethelizabeth
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:06pm

    Theblaze is late again. Libya was blaming the attack on foreigners as early as Friday.

    Ans still, this information isn’t in the headline.

    Theblaze is not the truth

    Report this comment

    marybethelizabeth  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:18pm

      @marybethelizabeth
      “Theblaze is late again.”

      Let me guess… the last time you were late you had an abortion? Right MaryBE?

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • therealconservative
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:18pm

      And neither are you or your buddy Obama

      Report this comment

      therealconservative  
    • grayling646
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:21pm

      The artifcle covered the Libyan officials analysis. I don’t see what your prob…..oh, it’s MaryBeth…nevermind.

      Report this comment

      grayling646  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:24pm

      @therealconservative
      “And neither are you or your buddy Obama”

      OK, what the hell does that mean? Should I add a few more ?????

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
    • Zipit
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:24pm

      Everything’s alright Go back to sleep now Mary!!!

      Report this comment

      Zipit  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:50pm

      Hi MONK, ZIPIT, MARYBETH is sort of behind again too. Yeah, the basics to this story were starting to come out Friday, and continued over the weekend. But, now were are seeing even more info released. This stuff if going to come in bits and pieces for some time yet. What has me sort of stumped, is why in the hell is the administration’s cabinet Secretary to the UN riding this story so hard? You’d think that the State Department would handle this. Something just does not pass the smell taste on this whole thing. Was Hillary so close a friend to this ambassador that they needed a fresh face to spew the lies? Also, I imagine the interim government is getting frustrated as to why every time they relate what happened our government essentially calls them liars. Let’s see now, the attack involved the accurate use of mortars, and a coordinated ground attack against trained American combat veterans on the security detail. And, the “DEMONSTRATORS” were able to pull off that operation? Yeah, that makes so much sense to me too….sarcasm off.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • woodyee
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:00pm

      Woman! What are you doing posting nonsense on the Blaze?!? Get out of the study and get my clothes pressed – I got a busy week ahead!…

      …dang computers…can’t keep Dora in the kitchen nor Marybeth in the laundry…be better off going to Home Depot…

      Report this comment

      woodyee  
    • pudssweetie
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:16pm

      Hi RJJ, I agree, something does not smell right and can’t help but think that something is being coordinated before the November Election. It is almost like they are purposely doing stuff to avert our attention away from what they are doing or planning on doing.

      It is starting feel like we are on a roller coaster, going up the steep incline slowly waiting for the big drop on the other side.

      Report this comment

      pudssweetie  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:47pm

      PUDSSWEETIE, Geez, thanks for putting up will of my typos in that post. It’s getting late for me tonight. We’ll either get drizzles of info on this or the other shoe may drop sooner than we think. Just like Fast & Furious, we need to keep our eyes and ears open on this snafu.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • stevetherealist
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 11:20am

      Thats because everything coming out of libya is a cold hard fact. We believe them over our own people. How very patiotic and American of us.They should call this comment section home of the clueless.

      Report this comment

      stevetherealist  
    • crusaderx9
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 2:08pm

      The obama regime is hiding behind the investigation for now, but that is not going well for the regime as facts are coming to light about the coordinated effort by our enemies in killing the US Ambassador. It appears that Libya has been more truthful than the obama regime, especially in stating that these attacks were coordinated and consistent with other activity leading up to this tragic event.

      Maybe obama should attend an intel brief and find out what is going on – to say obama is leading from behind is giving him too much credit – he is not leading at all…

      Report this comment

      crusaderx9  

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