US Ambassador 'Killed In Libya Attack'

12 September 2012

Four US officials are reportedly killed in Libya as gunmen protesting about a film they say offends Islam attack the US embassy.

The US ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff were killed in Tuesday's attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, say reports.

They died as an armed mob protesting over a film they say offends Islam attacked the US consulate.

It is not clear if the ambassador was killed in his car or the compound.

"The US ambassador and three staff members were killed when gunmen fired rockets at them," an official in Benghazi told Reuters.

Gunmen attacked the compound on Tuesday evening, clashing with Libyan security forces before the latter withdrew as they came under heavy fire.

Reporters on the scene said they could see looters raiding the building, walking off with desks, chairs and washing machines.

It followed an attack in the Egyptian capital Cairo, when protesters climbed the walls of the US embassy and tore down the American flag and burned it.

The protests were sparked by outrage over a video being promoted on YouTube by extreme anti-Muslim groups in the US.