America was attacked again on 9-11

[Value Buy]

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Al Zawahri personally ordered Al Qaeda to murder US Ambassador Stevens
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report September 12, 2012, 10:04 PM (GMT+02:00) Tags: Al Qaeda US diplomats Libya US Ambassador Chris Stevens vehicle on fireThe US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three staff members at the US consulate in Benghazi were deliberately murdered Tuesday night Sept 11 just after memorial ceremonies were held in America for the victims of the 9/11 outrage. debkafile’s counter-terror sources report exclusively that far from being a spontaneous raid by angry Islamists, it was a professionally executed terrorist operation by a professional Al Qaeda assassination team, whose 20 members acted under the orders of their leader Ayman al Zawahri after special training. They were all Libyans, freed last year from prisons where they were serving sentences for terrorism passed during the late Muammar Qaddafi’s rule.

In a video tape released a few hours before the attack, Zawahri called on the faithful to take revenge on the United States for liquidating one of the organization’s top operatives, Libyan-born Abu Yahya al-Libi in June by a US drone in northwestern Pakistan.
Its release was the “go” signal for the hit team to attack the US diplomats in Benghazi.

[TonyTiger]

Sept 12, 2012 19:10:06 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Sept 12, 2012 18:41:01 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...
Local preparedness and security and intelligence provisions are currently perceived as substandard in both Tripoli and Benghazi.

...

".. currently ..."? As in after the attack? "...perceived ...." by?

As in the State Department stuck them (our Benghazi people) in a so-called 'interim facility'...

All it had was a garden wall and a gate and lock-and-key security.

No reinforced doors, no bulletproof glass, exclusive reliance upon locally-hired guns for security and crappy local intelligence.

These things are all substandard practices and conditions for embassies anywhere and for consulates in hot-spots.

These things were known to the State Department long before the attacks and these vulnerabilities were left entirely un-addressed...

Our ambassador and three of our other fellow countrymen paid with their lives for these failures and shortcomings and substandard conditions, yesterday...

This is NOT a partisan issue - at least, not to me - because I believe that this sort of thing could have happened regardless of whether the Dems or the Pubs had their hands on the wheel...

But it IS a dramatic and tragic failure of one of our first-tier government agencies (State)...

The US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security seems to be the best place to kick off a well-deserved domestic witch hunt on the subject...

[Value Buy]

Read the Debka article I posted.
The initial attack was a recon attack, to watch how security would react.
The second attack was for the assination of the Ambassador

[billisonboard]

...
Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Kendra Motz said that Marines were not posted to the consulate, unlike the embassy in the capital, Tripoli.
...
The Benghazi consulate had “lock-and-key” security, not the same level of defenses as a formal embassy, an intelligence source told POLITICO. That means it had no bulletproof glass, reinforced doors or other features common to embassies. The intelligence source contrasted it with the American embassy in Cairo, Egypt – “a permanent facility, which is a lot easier to defend.” The Cairo embassy also was attacked Tuesday.

Read more: www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81134.html#ixzz26J660IsW

You know, it would be great if we could safeguard all Americans at all times at all places on the planet. But you know what, it isn't possible.

The US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security seems to be the best place to kick off a well-deserved domestic witch hunt on the subject...

Yes, it would be a "witch hunt".

[TonyTiger]

Sept 12, 2012 20:06:11 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

"...You know, it would be great if we could safeguard all Americans at all times at all places on the planet. But you know what, it isn't possible..."

I'll settle for demonstrating the minimal common sense that God have a flea and not parking our secondary facilities (consulates) inside of cardboard boxes and guarding them with local Girl Scouts, when we're dealing with world-class hot-spots.

The US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security seems to be the best place to kick off a well-deserved domestic witch hunt on the subject...

Yes, it would be a "witch hunt".

Sounds good. The sooner we get started, the sooner some ever-so-deserving civil service slug gets burned at the stake.

[Value Buy]

Sept 12, 2012 20:10:48 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

Sept 12, 2012 20:06:11 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

"...You know, it would be great if we could safeguard all Americans at all times at all places on the planet. But you know what, it isn't possible..."

I'll settle for demonstrating the minimal common sense that God have a flea and not parking our secondary facilities (consulates) inside of cardboard boxes and guarding them with local Girl Scouts, when we're dealing with world-class hot-spots.




Yes, it would be a "witch hunt".

Sounds good. The sooner we get started, the sooner some ever-so-deserving civil service slug gets burned at the stake.[/quote]

I am not interested in a witch hunt. What is done is done.
Meanwhile the President is politicing in of all places, Las Vegas tonight.

The President's actions speak larger than words.
The incident must not be too important if he campaigns in Vegas

[mmhmm]

Sept 12, 2012 20:06:11 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

...
Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Kendra Motz said that Marines were not posted to the consulate, unlike the embassy in the capital, Tripoli.
...
The Benghazi consulate had “lock-and-key” security, not the same level of defenses as a formal embassy, an intelligence source told POLITICO. That means it had no bulletproof glass, reinforced doors or other features common to embassies. The intelligence source contrasted it with the American embassy in Cairo, Egypt – “a permanent facility, which is a lot easier to defend.” The Cairo embassy also was attacked Tuesday.

Read more: www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81134.html#ixzz26J660IsW

You know, it would be great if we could safeguard all Americans at all times at all places on the planet. But you know what, it isn't possible.

The US State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security seems to be the best place to kick off a well-deserved domestic witch hunt on the subject...

Yes, it would be a "witch hunt".

The security found at this consulate is typical of the security found at every consulate I ever saw, regardless of the country in which it was located. Consulates do not have the same level of security as embassies. That's as it's always been.

[TonyTiger]

Sept 12, 2012 20:53:24 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

"...The security found at this consulate is typical of the security found at every consulate I ever saw, regardless of the country in which it was located. Consulates do not have the same level of security as embassies. That's as it's always been."

Ms. M., we're talking glaringly obvious atypical operating conditions, not the typical. I've only been to a handful of consulate offices in Europe and the Caribbean and Central America but none of those were such glaringly-obvious 'hot-spots' requiring special precautionary measures.

Some of the security pundits bubbling to the surface in the wake of this tragedy lead me to believe that State has Standard Operating Protocols for consular security in hot-spots, and I would be shocked to the core to learn that State was not thus prepared with such Standards for such operating conditions.

It is certainly clear that security at the Benghazi consulate was 'typical'; my question is: does State maintain protocols for atypical security measures in hot-spots, and, if the answer is 'yes', then, why were those protocols not implemented and executed properly?

Oh, and, as a more flippant 'aside' to this tragedy - I have no clue why we were maintaining a consular office in Benghazi or anywhere else in the country; thinking that the Embassy in Tripoli would be sufficient for our purposes until things had settled down.

But that's a distraction from the main point.

Do we have protocols for consular security under atypical (hot-spot) -caliber conditions, and, if so, were these followed, and were they realistically sufficient, under conditions of a lesser nature than an outright assault on a compound by local militia?

If those protocols exist and if they had been operational then it seems possible that our people might have stood a better chance of holding off the bad guys long enough for our people to escape or fort-up to await rescue.

And, frankly, this business of a cardboard-box -like 'interim facility' within such an obvious hot-spot strike me, for one, as a matter of bad operational practice, never mind security practice.

Too bad some kind of JCAHO certification doesn't exist (Inspector General?) to cross-check the work of the relevant Bureau(s)...

State fails it annual certs for 2012...

[AGB]

Sept 12, 2012 20:53:24 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

The security found at this consulate is typical of the security found at every consulate I ever saw, regardless of the country in which it was located. Consulates do not have the same level of security as embassies. That's as it's always been.

You've seen a lot of consulates in areas that barely have come out of a civil war... on the anniversary of 9/11... after direct threats were made the day before against Americans in that area by the head of a terrorist organization?

[billisonboard]

Sept 12, 2012 18:41:01 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...

Given the condition of Libya in the past two years there is no excuse for allowing such matters to fall below the basic standards that we set for ourselves at Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
...(emphasis added)

Sept 12, 2012 21:18:39 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...

Do we have protocols for consular security under atypical (hot-spot) -caliber conditions, and, if so, were these followed, and were they realistically sufficient, under conditions of a lesser nature than an outright assault on a compound by local militia?

If those protocols exist and if they had been operational ...(emphasis added)

Hmmmmmm.

[Value Buy]

I have a problem with people copying an entire post, then highlighting sections of the orginal post, as in post 103.
I am seeing more of this happening all the time.
I know it is meant to emphasize the responding (or in this case, asking a question)person's position, but I am uncomfortable with people physically changing the emphasis of the original post.
Can't we all just go back to copying the post, and then commenting on it?
Am I the only one concerned about this?

This does not include posts, that are "crossed out" and replaced with new words, and stated "fixed". These are understandable to all readers.

Or is it just me that has the problem?

[TonyTiger]

Sept 12, 2012 21:35:32 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Sept 12, 2012 18:41:01 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...

Given the condition of Libya in the past two years there is no excuse for allowing such matters to fall below the basic standards that we set for ourselves at Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
...(emphasis added)

Sept 12, 2012 21:18:39 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...

Do we have protocols for consular security under atypical (hot-spot) -caliber conditions, and, if so, were these followed, and were they realistically sufficient, under conditions of a lesser nature than an outright assault on a compound by local militia?

If those protocols exist and if they had been operational ...(emphasis added)

Hmmmmmm.

What is the mystery (or cynicism) here?

Our security standards for embassies and consulate offices include common-sense elements such as reinforced gates and doors, bulletproof glass, safe-rooms, and the like.

Never mind being housed in an 'interim' facility that had not received sufficient investment and upgrades to meet those 'typical' standards.

These were not adhered to according to press reports.

Following-up on Ms. M's assertion that the Benghazi consulate met 'typical' minimal standards, and temporarily conceding the point for the sake of argument, I then went on to speculate upon the existence of standards for Atypical settings and asked whether those had been observed in this instance, as well.

I don't understand your feedback here.

[TonyTiger]

Sept 12, 2012 21:46:39 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

I have a problem with people copying an entire post, then highlighting sections of the orginal post, as in post 103. I am seeing more of this happening all the time. I know it is meant to emphasize the responding (or in this case, asking a question)person's position, but I am uncomfortable with people physically changing the emphasis of the original post. Can't we all just go back to copying the post, and then commenting on it? Am I the only one concerned about this? This does not include posts, that are "crossed out" and replaced with new words, and stated "fixed". These are understandable to all readers. Or is it just me that has the problem?

Bill thinks that he has caught me pretending to be an incontrovertible expert on the subject of security standards for embassies and consulates and thinks he smells blood about some of the particulars, so he switched-up the highlighting or emphasis, to draw attention to his own cynical grunting.

It's just pissing-about from the cheap seats, but that's OK.

The changing of emphasis doesn't bother me; at least not when directed AT me... ;D

Although a partial quote can prove problematic, when it's isolated and taken out of context (that wasn't the case, this time).

[billisonboard]

Sept 12, 2012 22:06:18 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...

I don't understand your feedback here.

You stated that basic standards were set then later made references as to "if" there are such standards. Are there such standards that were not met and therefore we need to look at who was responsible for them not being met as you have suggested or are there not such standards and thus making your "witch hunt" truly the appropriate descriptor?

[TonyTiger]

Sept 12, 2012 22:21:19 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Sept 12, 2012 22:06:18 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...

I don't understand your feedback here.

You stated that basic standards were set then later made references as to "if" there are such standards. Are there such standards that were not met and therefore we need to look at who was responsible for them not being met as you have suggested or are there not such standards and thus making your "witch hunt" truly the appropriate descriptor?

Yes.

This is where I expected you wanted to go, but I made it a point to check, first, before charging-off in the wrong direction.

I have been discussing two (2) sets of standards...

1. Standards for Typical Consular security settings, which Ms. M. believes were probably adhered to, and which I do not.

2. Standards for Atypical Consular security settings, which I am less certain about - and these Atypical Standards were the ones that I was questioning, re: existence and compliance.

You are taking a reference from (1) and a reference from (2) and trying to conjure-up something that isn't there.

Or, at least I think that's what I'm seeing here.

And, just to be clear...

Given that this has cost us the life of our Ambassador and three of his staff...

All of them our peeps...

I'm entirely in favor of a Congressional or Public Witch Hunt if EITHER the Typical OR Atypical (if these exist) standards were not followed...

[billisonboard]

Sept 12, 2012 22:36:31 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...

I'm entirely in favor of a Congressional or Public Witch Hunt if EITHER the Typical OR Atypical (if these exist) standards were not followed...

In modern terminology 'witch-hunt' has acquired usage referring to the act of seeking and persecuting any perceived enemy, particularly when the search is conducted using extreme measures and with little regard to actual guilt or innocence. It is used whether or not it is sanctioned by the government, or merely occurs within the "court of public opinion". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt#Metaphorical_usage

I am not in favor of such.

[mmhmm]

Sept 12, 2012 21:31:50 GMT -5 AGB said:

Sept 12, 2012 20:53:24 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

The security found at this consulate is typical of the security found at every consulate I ever saw, regardless of the country in which it was located. Consulates do not have the same level of security as embassies. That's as it's always been.

You've seen a lot of consulates in areas that barely have come out of a civil war... on the anniversary of 9/11... after direct threats were made the day before against Americans in that area by the head of a terrorist organization?

Did I say that? No, I did not. What I said was I have never seen a consulate with a Marine contingent assigned as guards. Embassies, yes. Consulates, no. I have not opined on whether that was a good plan in this case, and don't intend to do so as I am not qualified to do so. I can only say what I've seen. That did include the Consulate in Iran during the uprising there.

[TonyTiger]

Sept 12, 2012 22:45:04 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Sept 12, 2012 22:36:31 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

...

I'm entirely in favor of a Congressional or Public Witch Hunt if EITHER the Typical OR Atypical (if these exist) standards were not followed...

In modern terminology 'witch-hunt' has acquired usage referring to the act of seeking and persecuting any perceived enemy, particularly when the search is conducted using extreme measures and with little regard to actual guilt or innocence. It is used whether or not it is sanctioned by the government, or merely occurs within the "court of public opinion". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt#Metaphorical_usage

I am not in favor of such.

Fine, Bill...

Revised...

I'm entirely in favor of a Congressional Investigation and Public Trials for Negligence, etc., prosecuted to the fullest possible extent allowable under law, if EITHER the Typlical OR Atyplical (if these exist) standards were not followed...

----------

Better?

Sooooooo literal... ;D

The bold metaphor 'witch hunt' was briefer, and a handy and entirely understandable means for adding a touch of cynicism to the original...

[billisonboard]

Sept 12, 2012 23:04:50 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

Sept 12, 2012 22:45:04 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

In modern terminology 'witch-hunt' has acquired usage referring to the act of seeking and persecuting any perceived enemy, particularly when the search is conducted using extreme measures and with little regard to actual guilt or innocence. It is used whether or not it is sanctioned by the government, or merely occurs within the "court of public opinion". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt#Metaphorical_usage

I am not in favor of such.

Fine, Bill...

Revised...

I'm entirely in favor of a Congressional Investigation and Public Trials for Negligence, etc., prosecuted to the fullest possible extent allowable under law, if EITHER the Typlical OR Atyplical (if these exist

[/u]) standards were not followed[/i]...

----------

Better?

Sooooooo literal... ;D

The bold metaphor 'witch hunt' was briefer, and a handy and entirely understandable means for adding a touch of cynicism to the original...[/quote]

Actually, I thought it was the perfect term for what you proposed.

[TonyTiger]

Sept 12, 2012 23:06:32 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

"...Actually, I thought it was the perfect term for what you proposed."

So...

If standard protocols (typical and/or atypical) were NOT adhered to in this context...

And if that failure was material to the deaths of our four people...

And if that failure was the result of mismanagement or negligence rather than circumstances beyond reasonable control...

You're content to let it slide, and allow those responsible to get off scot-free, rather than face Investigation and Charges?

Really?

[billisonboard]

Sept 12, 2012 23:09:55 GMT -5 TonyTiger said:

Sept 12, 2012 23:06:32 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

"...Actually, I thought it was the perfect term for what you proposed."

So...

If standard protocols (typical and/or atypical) were NOT adhered to in this context...

And if that failure was material to the deaths of our four people...

And if that failure was the result of mismanagement or negligence rather than circumstances beyond reasonable control...

You're content to let it slide, and allow those responsible to get off scot-free, rather than face Investigation and Charges?

Really?

No, a proper investigation is appropriate.

[deziloooooo]

Sept 12, 2012 19:26:41 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

www.debka.com/article/22353/Al-Zawahri-personally-ordered-Al-Qaeda-to-murder-US-Ambassador-Stevens-

Ok, people, now Dezi has me quoting Debka, oh the shame, the shame.......

Our War on Terror continues.........

If true..I always try to preface many of Debkas articles but as I have said before..they seem to have their fingers on the pulse of what is what and break a lot of stuff before any one else..and if true..that puts a whole different slant on things.

To me it means al Quida has lost none of their expertise on planning. See 9/11 and in a way, gives us a new wake up call..if not to the ones assigned to do the ferreting out and protecting of us..thinking they are always on the ball..then to the rest of us who after 11 years can get blase about all these security measures..the airport, Home land security..the new laws in affect..

Telling me for one..when I start bitching about the necessity of..try to remember this event and others and remember to stop the bitching and trust the ones in charge..

Back in the day..when we had a quiet period..even though in a active war zone..human nature sometimes gets in the way and vigilance and awareness seem to lesson..hard for commanders , NCO's to keep men up to snuff..that is till something would happen, a action, a incident or sorry to say a casualty or two..then everyone snaps to and pays very close attention..[Old man said a few times if men don't shape up he will sneak out some night and set off some grenades ..get them up to snuff anyway he can, not sure if he was really kidding]\

If this is so I expect there will be enhanced ferreting out of those who were the perps..POTUS has already said that..I believe h will and will /ha given those orders already..

Do I expect a positive result tomorrow...no, but I believe we will be hearing some news soon..on the positive side..

Soviets were very good that way...true incident when one or two of their embassy people wear killed in Lebanon back in the day...shortly many Lebanese , the ones back then who were causing problems..were found with no heads attached..problem quickly stopped..Israelis also good at that..going at it constantly and we are too..

Not sure if they could have prevented it..not sure if they have that many if any resources in al quida..Sure as hell not going to blame it on the Administration..to serious a happening to play that game , for me anyway.

[Reckless Roselia]

Yep my God is more holy than your God....So lets forget about God and blow each other to bits.

Imagine a battle btw the Gods. Who would you put your money on? ;D

You have a point there, Spell.

[Value Buy]

Does anyone here feel the attack on an American Consulate and the assasination of an American Embassador is no less of an atrocity then the original 9-11 attack?
I am appalled the President did not show any emotion in his White House statement yesterday.
He is playing the "Walk softly and carry a big stick" motto of Teddy Roosevelt, but is forgetting to actually have the big stick sitting out there in any way where our enemies are watching.
I sincerely hope the two Navy ships supposedly going to Libya are not fake replicas of the Russian ships shown at the Charlotte convention.

[deziloooooo]

Sept 13, 2012 5:28:31 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Does anyone here feel the attack on an American Consulate and the assasination of an American Embassador is no less of an atrocity then the original 9-11 attack?
I am appalled the President did not show any emotion in his White House statement yesterday.
He is playing the "Walk softly and carry a big stick" motto of Teddy Roosevelt, but is forgetting to actually have the big stick sitting out there in any way where our enemies are watching.
I sincerely hope the two Navy ships supposedly going to Libya are not fake replicas of the Russian ships shown at the Charlotte convention.

Not sure what your asking of him..or any one who would be sitting in that chair. You would be comfortable if a POTUS was getting all emotional and reved up as you and I might be...showing no restraint and just go off half cocked looking for payback?

While you posted Debkas article and suggested happenings, who knows if it is correct..and I am sure we have assets out there who will give those who need to know the correct information so the right response on the right people , not innocents, will be taken.

If you want to get political about it , I was not impressed with Romney's going off as he did using the incident for political reasons ..his criticism was off the wall...with out knowing all the facts. If his reaction would actually be what he would do if in that chair I can see us getting into more foreign scraps , and you know what that leads to, rather then getting out of them..

[Deleted]

Forgetting the big stick ? Osama dead... Many major terrorists dead vm? drone attacks? ...

[deziloooooo]

Sept 13, 2012 6:11:20 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

Among the dead were two US Marines and ten Libyan security officials, who died fighting the attackers. Libya has officially apologized and vowed to seek justice. We have one warship off the coast of Libya and another en route with detachments of elite marine counter terrorism units aboard.

Let's keep cool and get all the facts before we blunder on into another fine mess in the Middle East.

Reasonable post... ...Actually as of this morning it seems that the reaction to the film is spreading..I will get the article and post it which means we need to have someone in charge who is able to handle this problem intelligently...calmly till it becomes a toronado of emotions over there..out of control , unable to be controlled..unless we want to give al Quida the victory they are looking for.

oops see you posted a article..heres another

www.aljazeera.com/video/middleeast/2012/09/20129130543708779.html
-------------------------------------------
Demonstrations spread over anti-Islam film

Protests in Yemen, Iran, Tunisia and Gaza now echo anger in Egypt and Libya over film made in US that disrespects Islam.

Last Modified: 13 Sep 2012 11:14

"Protesters angered by an anti-Islam film have stormed the US embassy compound in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, as similar demonstrations have spread to several countries across the Middle East.

The protesters on Thursday removed the embassy's sign on the outer wall and brought down the US flag and burned it, a.

A number of diplomatic vehicle were torched as security forces used water cannons and warning shots in a bid to drive them out.

In the Iranian capital, Tehran, up to 500 people protested over the issue chanting "Death to America!" and death to the movie's director, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

The rally, near the Swiss embassy that handles US interests in the absence of US-Iran diplomatic ties, ended peacefully two hours later.

Protect guests

Meanwhile, Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi has condemned the film that has sparked an outcry in his country.

"We Egyptians reject any kind of assault or insult against our prophet. I condemn and oppose all who... insult our prophet," Morsi, on an official visit to Brussels, said in remarks broadcast by Egyptian state television.

"[But] it is our duty to protect our guests and visitors from abroad... I call on everyone to take that into consideration, to not violate Egyptian law... to not assault embassies," he added

Click on link to read rest of article

[sgtjer]

"Even Republicans stated that Romney's half cocked response was NOT cool."

As always, there are those who have the proper perspective and don't shoot from the hip, even in the GOP. Mitt & Paul don't subscribe to that rule of decorum, or care if their timeline is correct. Fortunate for them, there is a sizable partisan contingency that cares not about accuracy or appropriateness.

IMO, a POTUS candidate needs to be capable of restraining his tendency to foam at the mouth until all the facts are in, but I recognize that there are those who are willing to ignore those realities. I suspect they might be the same folks who still believe it was right for GWB to go into Iraq.

[TonyTiger]

US embassy in Yemen stormed in film protest

BBC World News - 13 September 2012 Last updated at 07:54 ET



Protesters could be seen climbing over the gates of the embassy compound

Protesters angered by an anti-Islam film made in the US have briefly stormed the grounds of the American embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Police shot in the air in an attempt to hold back the crowds, but failed to prevent them gaining access to the compound and setting fire to vehicles.

Angry protests have taken place across the Middle East and north Africa.

On Tuesday, the US ambassador to Libya was killed in a fire started after the US consulate in Benghazi was stormed.

US officials say they are investigating whether the attack in Libya was planned, citing suspicions that a militant jihadist group may have co-ordinated the violence.

Three other US consul staff and several Libyans died in that attack, along with Ambassador J Christopher Stevens, who is believed to have died from smoke inhalation.

Security force reinforcements in Sanaa used tear gas, water cannon and live fire to drive back protesters.

"We can see a fire inside the compound and security forces are firing in the air. The demonstrators are fleeing and then charging back," one witness told the Reuters news agency.

There were reports of injuries on both sides, although Reuters carried a statement from the embassy saying there were none.

Windows were smashed and a US flag was torn down and replaced with a black flag bearing the Muslim statement of faith, "There is no God but Allah".

It was not immediately clear whether the embassy was occupied at the time. There are reports that embassy staff have been moved to a safer location.

'Duty to protect'

There have also been clashes over the past three days in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

On Wednesday, demonstrators in Cairo angry at the film - Innocence of Muslims - breached the walls of the US embassy and tore down the flag. The clashes, which began on Tuesday, continued in the early hours of Thursday morning.

...

President Mohammed Mursi has appealed for calm, saying Egyptians "reject any kind of assault or insult" against the Prophet Muhammad.

"I condemn and oppose all who... insult our prophet. [But] it is our duty to protect our guests and visitors from abroad," he said in a statement broadcast by state media.

...

The officials said there were also reports that al-Qaeda's north Africa-based affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, may have been involved, the news agency reports.

In other developments:

- Iranians chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans stage a protest outside the Swiss embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, which represents US interests

- A small protest has taken place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, demanding that the film-maker be punished

- In Iraq, there have been demonstrations in Baghdad and Basra, with the leader of one Islamist militia warning the film "will put all American interests in danger"

- Unrest is also reported in Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia
Pakistani police say they "expect some protests" at the US embassy in Islamabad and are preparing to deal with them, the AFP news agency reports

- Security has been increased at US embassies and consulates around the world; US officials say a marine anti-terrorism team is being deployed to Libya and two destroyers to the Libyan coast as a precautionary measure

- US President Barack Obama has vowed to work with the Libyan authorities to bring those behind the Benghazi attack to justice

- Mr Obama has held phone conversations with Mr Mursi and Libyan President Muhammad Magarief

- Libyan officials have condemned the attack and pledged to investigate

The obscure film which has sparked anger, called Innocence of Muslims, was shot in the US and posted online earlier this year - clips have since been shown on Arab TV stations.

The BBC's Alastair Leithead says the exact origin of the movie and the internet clip, and the motivation behind its production, remains a mystery.

The most offensive comments regarding Muhammad appear to have been dubbed on later, says our correspondent.

Some of the actors involved have since condemned the film, and said they had no idea it was to be used as anti-Islam propaganda.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19584734

[TonyTiger]

I seriously doubt that 1 in 100 of these Tools and Fools that we see storming these embassy and consular compounds has even seen the film... hell, I seriously doubt that 1 in 10 of them has ever even used the Internet... they're parrots with muscle... believing what they're spoon-fed and positively orgasmic over any opportunity to take a swipe at The Great Satan or just to flex their paws and act-out violently... friggin' Neanderthals...