Soon after news broke of a mob in Egypt storming the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and tearing down the American flag, reports are emerging that an armed group has set fire to the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
Fierce clashing outside US consulate in #Benghazi between armed militia that attacked building and #Libya Army – security official
— Hadeel Al-Shalchi (@hadeelalsh) September 11, 2012
Reuters reporters near scene in #Benghazi say heavy gunfire heard and smoke rising from US embassy area. Roads to building closed off #Libya
— Hadeel Al-Shalchi (@hadeelalsh) September 11, 2012
#egypt. hope it doesn't, but this could spread. Witnesses already describe attack on US consulate in #benghazi
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) September 11, 2012
US consulate in Benghazi #Libya under attack by protesters, possibly related to protests in Cairo over film deemed insulting to Mohammed
— Mary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) September 11, 2012
The American Embassy in Libya is currently under attack, fyi.
— Melissa Mackenzie (@MelissaTweets) September 11, 2012
Danya Bashir, a young entrepreneur who describes herself in her Twitter profile as “the next president of Libya,” says the attack may be linked to a film critical of the prophet Muhammad, which early news reports have cited as a possible trigger of the Egypt attack.
Confirmed: American Consulate in #Benghazi is being attacked #Libya
— Danya Bashir (@ceoDanya) September 11, 2012
I hope no one is hurt. #Benghazi
— Danya Bashir (@ceoDanya) September 11, 2012
A friend in #Benghazi is saying the American Consulate is being attacked because of the movie on the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) #Libya
— Danya Bashir (@ceoDanya) September 11, 2012
Security forces in #Benghazi are trying to stop the attack … No has been reported to be dead. (So that's good news kind of good news?)
— Danya Bashir (@ceoDanya) September 11, 2012
Now Libya after Egypt: protesters angry over anti-Prophet film set fire to US consulate in Benghazi; Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia next?
— Tamer Fakahany (@TamerFakahany) September 11, 2012
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo outraged many by issuing an apology in response to the mob, tweeting, “We condemn the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.” There has been no response from the consulate in Libya yet.
Do we have our apology ready? MT @BBCBreaking Armed protesters in #Libya storm US consulate in Benghazi… http://t.co/c6TyZSJj
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) September 11, 2012
Drudge reporting US consulate in Libya set afire! We better send them 1 Billion $ pretty damn quick or they might stop liking us!
— Bill Rombin (@Rumbinus) September 11, 2012
https://twitter.com/rsmccain/status/245632962987708416
Thank goodness we're respected in the world again. MT @tweetdrudge: US consulate in Libya set on fire http://t.co/I5tJVKq9
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) September 11, 2012
Egypt-based news site Ahram Online is reporting that the film in question is “Muhammad’s Trial,” which it says was produced by two Coptic Christian Egyptians living in the United States and pastor Terry Jones, who famously threatened to burn a Koran in 2010.
https://twitter.com/alimhaider/status/245659919112622081
Update: Sky News and other sources are reporting that an American has been killed in the attacks in Libya.
American Killed In Libya Prophet Protest http://t.co/4Ek6Ljyu
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) September 11, 2012
Mr. President? Bueller? Bueller? RT @EWErickson: An American has been killed in the Libyan riots. http://t.co/CNeNOXxp
— Prophet Patriot (@patriot_prophet) September 11, 2012
AFP~ Libya's deputy interior minister Wanis al-Sharef said: "One American official was killed and another injured in the hand.
— Leslee (@Echo2Zs) September 11, 2012
State Dept. official: US been notified by Libyan government that an American consulate official was killed at the consulate in Benghazi.
— Stephanie Gallman (@sgallman) September 11, 2012
Update: Four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, were reportedly killed in the attack.
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