Transcript for Sept. 12, 2012: Surprise attack on the US consulate in Libya

As we are coming on the air we are learning aloft more about that surprise assault on the US consulate in Libya. Americans were under attack for five hours and today. Four of them are dead. Including the US ambassador to Libya the dedicated Chris Stevens. And here at home flags are flying at half staff in their honor as tonight American embassies around the world. Had been put on alert warned against demonstrations. And violent attacks. At particular focus on these seven UC on the map seven US embassies. US Marines have been rushed to Libya and an urgent investigation has begun who didn't this and did al-Qaeda play a role. Diane we are getting more and more detail by the hour but tonight we know that during that nearly five hours of war. The ambassador went missing and his body would not be recovered for twelve hours. They came in darkness. Twenty heavily armed attackers sweet savage and did. The Libyan security guards protecting the American Consulate fired back but were overwhelmed. There were no US Marines to help. The main building of the consulate was quickly set ablaze. Inside on a planned visit from Tripoli. American ambassador Chris Stevens along with several others trapped between the flames in the gunfire. Separated by heavy dark smoke. And struggling to breeds. For Americans would not make it at least two believed to of died from smoke inhalation. The group including Sean Smith an information specialist husband and father of two. This is an attack that should shock the conscience at people of all face around the world. We condemn in the strongest terms. This senseless. Act of violence. A terror group affiliated with al-Qaeda claimed responsibility. For the well could ward needed to attack. US officials are still trying to determine whether it was time to the anniversary of 9/11. Intended to send the deadly message to America. Or whether it was leaked when anti Islam. That sparked a protest at the US embassy in Cairo Egypt just hours before the attack. Still there are questions tonight over this security at the consulate. On this anniversary of 9/11 the consulate was taken totally by surprise they had detected no specific threats. And for more than five hours after the attack the State Department could not confirm the ambassador's whereabouts. In the chaos you'd been carried off by a group of Libyans who delivered him to a local hospital. His body not recovered for twelve. Hours there's no way to eliminate. Security risk we're to try to do as manager of and you try to look at overall what are your objectives with the understanding that these can be dangerous circumstances. All Americans who were in Ben Ghazi have now been evacuated to Europe there are also three Americans who were wounded one of them seriously Diane. And Martha the president said today in his statement his public statement make no mistake we will work with the Libyan government. To bring justice to the killer so what is underway tonight. Well the US is promising justice and is right now trying to track down those killers the Libyan government has promised cooperation. And the FBI is involved as well.

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