One American citizen is dead in Libya after militants attacked the U.S. consulate there over the same controversial video that inspired protestors to storm the American consulate in Egypt on Tuesday.
Libyan security officials confirmed to Reuters that one consulate employee in Benghazi was killed and more were injured in the attack. The force of the militants weaponry was so strong that Libyan security forces withdrew from the compound and the building has been abandoned. "The Libyan security forces came under heavy fire and we were not prepared the intensity of the attack," a spokesman for Libya's Supreme Security Committee told Reuters. The militants attacked with heavy gunfire and homemade bombs. Much of the consulate was burned in the attack. After security forces abandoned the building, according to reporters on the scene, people were walking onto the property to either loot, or watch other people loot, the consulate:
Reuters reporters on the scene could see looters raiding the empty Benghazi compound, walking off with desks, chairs and washing machines.
The State Department has confirmed the death and condemned the attack. "We are working with the Libyans now to secure the compound," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement. "We condemn in strongest terms this attack on our diplomatic mission."
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