President Obama condemns killing of US ambassador, staff in Libya

The whole America is saddened over the tragic demise of the United States’ ambassador to Libya and three other staffers of the embassy. President Barack Obama has strongly condemned the killing and demanded Libyan authorities a fair probe into the incident. The president called the incident as an outrageous attack and ordered increased security at US embassies across the globe. However, no specific threats to the US staffers or embassies in other countries around the world have been mentioned. President also ordered to provide all available resources to the US embassies to ensure security to staff and ambassadors.

Media reports suggested that ambassador Christopher Stevens and three staffers were moving to a safer place after some enraged protestors attacked the US Consulate in Benghazi. The incensed protestors also opened fire on the consulate and a staff member was also killed on the spot. A rocket was also fired on vehicle of the ambassador when he was travelling to a safer place but it killed him along with three other staffers of the embassy. What has prompted Libyans to stage protest demonstrations against the US? Libyans have protested against the US for a film which they deemed blasphemous to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

It may be pertinent to mention here that Libyans once considered the US and its Western allies as their saviors. In February last year, when Libyans started protest demonstrations against the decades old tyrant Col Muammer al-Qaddafi, it was the US, France and other Western countries that helped Libyans oust the dictator. Col Qaddafi was killed by enraged mob when he was captured from a sewerage line. The US is also helping Libyans to install a democratic government in the country and training security forces as well to deal with miscreants and rebels. However, the recent incident has sent shockwaves not only among Americans but also Libyans.

A Libyan leader Mohammed Magarief apologized to the US, to the people and the whole world for the incident. He expressed the grief and sorrow over the killing of the ambassador and the staff members. However, he does not speak about any inquiry to be held to ascertain facts behind the killings or arrest the people responsible for the crime. It may be pertinent to mention here that it is not for the first time that a US ambassador or embassy is attacked. Previously, the US embassies have been attacked in Egypt, Syria, Pakistan and other countries. However, it is heartening to know that President Barack Obama has taken cognizance of the situation and ordered enhanced security for US missions across the globe.

We hope the law and order situation will improve in Libya soon and this incident is not going to hurt relations between both the countries.