A secret cabal of Gaddafi loyalists rescued US personnel trapped during the Benghazi terror attacks on September 11, 2012 despite President Obama's attempts to overthrow the Libyan dictator.

The CIA was unaware of the group at the time of the attack which was launched on the US consulate in the coastal city which claimed the lives of four Americans, including the Ambassador Chris Stevens, according to an 800-page report.

The report, which cost $7 million and included a two-year investigation into the events surrounding the attack did not find any 'smoking gun' aimed at current presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who at that time was Secretary of State.

Scroll down for video

A group of militants stormed the US consulate in Benghazi in September 2012 setting fire to the building

Ambassador Chris Stevens and state department official Sean Smith retreated to a 'panic room' behind heavy steel door, but were overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from the fire set by the jihadi militants

The Select Committee on Benghazi spent two years and some $7 million preparing its 800-page report

On September 11, 2012 a group of heavily-armed men stormed the US consulate.

Ambassador Stevens and State Department officer Sean Smith were separated from the joint Libyan / American team providing security for the consulate.

Stevens and Smith retreated to a 'safe room' in the consulate behind a heavy steel door. However, the terrorists set fire to the building and it is believed both men died of smoke inhalation.

Their bodies were recovered from the building by a group of Libyans, now believed to be Gaddafi loyalists, according to the new 800-page report.

Some five hours after the initial attack on the compound, militants launched a mortar attack on a separate CIA compound killing former US Navy SEALS Glen Doherty and Tyrone S. Woods. Two other Americans were wounded.

Clinton was grilled by the House Benghazi committee for almost 11 hours.

Ambassador Chris Stevens, left, and Sean Smith, right, both died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

Former US Navy SEALS Glen Doherty, left, and Tyrone Woods, right, died in a mortar attack on a CIA building

Republican Trey Gowdy asked 'the American people to read this report for themselves, look at the evidence we have collected and reach their own conclusions'.

The report is highly critical of intelligence failures which failed to predict the fatal assault as well as the military who failed to act.

Clinton defended herself claiming the report did not uncover any further evidence against her. 'I think i'ts pretty clear it's time to move on.'

Both Clinton and President Barack Obama faced criticism after trying to blame the assault on a protest against an offensive film about Muslims, instead of a pre-arranged terrorist attack.

Military leaders have testified repeatedly that they didn't have intelligence information on what was happening or the resources on alert to respond in time to the attacks, which occurred at two separate locations over 13 hours.

The State Department also issued a statement Tuesday, saying that the 'essential facts' of the attacks 'have been known for some time', and have been the subject of numerous reviews, including one by an independent review board.

Compromised: Barack Obama's administration found itself under huge pressure to act following the Benghazi attack - and it was revealed today that forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi came to the rescue of Americans trapped in the compound

The State Department defended locating a diplomatic outpost in the eastern coastal city of Benghazi.

A report by the House Benghazi panel is faulting the military for its slow response sending resources to Benghazi, Libya, during deadly 2012 attacks on a U.S. outpost - despite clear orders from President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.