Obama condemns killing of US ambassador in Libya

President Barack Obama on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of the US ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff, calling it an “outrageous attack,” and ordered stepped-up security at US diplomatic posts worldwide.

“I have directed my administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe,” Obama said in a statement.

Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other US diplomats were killed in a rocket attack on their car late on Tuesday, a Libyan official said, as they were rushed from a consular building stormed by militants denouncing a US-made film insulting the Prophet Mohammad.

Sean Smith, a foreign service information management officer, was identified as one of the diplomats killed, in a statement by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The names of the two others were withheld while the government notified their families.

Stevens, a 21-year veteran of the foreign service, was one of the first American officials on the ground in Benghazi during the uprising against former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Gaddafi was ousted by rebel forces backed by Nato air power in August last year and was killed in October after months as a fugitive.

“I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens,” Obama said.