Top news: A bipartisan report released
Wednesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee called the 2012 attack
on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya "likely preventable." The
assault left four Americans, including Amb. J. Christopher Stevens,
dead.
"The committee found the attacks were preventable, based on extensive intelligence reporting on the terrorist activity in Libya -- to include prior threats and attacks against Western targets -- and given the known security shortfalls at the U.S. Mission," the committee said in a statement.
In addition to excoriating the State Department and U.S. intelligence agencies for failing to boost security beforehand, the report criticizes Stevens for recommending that the U.S. mission hire local Libyan guards in Tripoli and Benghazi.
The report also found that the initial talking points prepared after the attack by the Central Intelligence Agency were "flawed," but "painted a mostly accurate picture."
Lebanon: The trial of four men accused of assassinating former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri began in The Hague today, despite the fact that none of the defendants has been apprehended. It is the first time since the Nuremberg trials that an international tribunal has tried defendants in absentia. Meanwhile, a car bomb exploded in the northeastern Lebanese city of Hermel, injuring dozens and killing at least five people.
"The committee found the attacks were preventable, based on extensive intelligence reporting on the terrorist activity in Libya -- to include prior threats and attacks against Western targets -- and given the known security shortfalls at the U.S. Mission," the committee said in a statement.
In addition to excoriating the State Department and U.S. intelligence agencies for failing to boost security beforehand, the report criticizes Stevens for recommending that the U.S. mission hire local Libyan guards in Tripoli and Benghazi.
The report also found that the initial talking points prepared after the attack by the Central Intelligence Agency were "flawed," but "painted a mostly accurate picture."
Lebanon: The trial of four men accused of assassinating former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri began in The Hague today, despite the fact that none of the defendants has been apprehended. It is the first time since the Nuremberg trials that an international tribunal has tried defendants in absentia. Meanwhile, a car bomb exploded in the northeastern Lebanese city of Hermel, injuring dozens and killing at least five people.
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-By Ty McCormick
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