Breaking: Islamists Torch US Consulate in Libya Killing One Official & Looting Building
Islamists torched the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya today.
Al Ahram Online reported:
An armed mob has attacked the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi and set fire to the building, witnesses reported, in what they said was a protest at a film they said offended Islam.
A little earlier, Libya’s deputy interior minister Wanis al-Shari, told AFP the crowd had attacked the building and that information was confirmed by the US embassy in the capital Tripoli.
The BBC says the consulate was “burnt down.”
UPDATE: One US official was killed in the rioting.
Libya’s Supreme Security Committee spokesman said: “One American staff member has died and a number have been injured in the clashes.”
But Abdel Monem al Hurr said he did not know the exact number of injured.
Armed gunmen attacked the compound on Tuesday evening, clashing with Libyan security forces before the latter withdrew as they came under heavy fire.
Reporters on the scene said they could see looters raiding the compound, walking off with desks, chairs and washing machines.
