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US Diplomat Killed in Benghazi Asked for More Guards Before Attack

© AP Photo / Mohammad HannonLibyan woman carries a wreath with a photo of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens on it as she and others gather to pay their respect to the victims of the Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate, in Benghazi, Libya, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012
Libyan woman carries a wreath with a photo of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens on it as she and others gather to pay their respect to the victims of the Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate, in Benghazi, Libya, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 - Sputnik International
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In a stunning revelation, secret cables showed US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens had been seeking improvement of his security before he was killed by Islamists in the notorious Benghazi attack in 2012.

A picture taken on September 10, 2013 shows the wreckage of burnt cars outside the main gate of the US consulate in Benghazi on the eve of the anniversary of the 2012 attack on the diplomatic mission that left four people dead, including the ambassador. - Sputnik International
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According to Fox News, Stevens asked the US Senate for “additional” guards to accompany him while travelling around the country. But his request was rebuffed by an assistant of Hillary Clinton, who then was serving as Secretary of State.

In his report the diplomat said the conditions in Libya during that period didn’t meet the norms adopted by the US State Department, explaining that the situation was becoming worse day by day. He pointed that the country was invaded by “large numbers of armed groups and individuals not under control of the central government” and clashes occurred regularly across the nation’s major cities.

Some 234 security-related incidents occurred in Libya in that period, 50 of which were registered in Benghazi, according to official statistics.

Security measures required "minimum" of 13 members to provide safety to the diplomatic group who was travelling to Benghazi.

Libyan woman carries a wreath with a photo of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens on it as she and others gather to pay their respect to the victims of the Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate, in Benghazi, Libya, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 - Sputnik International
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However, a senior State Department official, who was in charge of American envoy security in 2012, decided to send more guards to Tripoli airport – which was considered the only link between the country and the rest of the world — rather than with diplomats travelling to Benghazi.

What happened next is a well-known fact – militants attacked the US compound on September 11, killing Chris Stevens along with three other American nationals.

Hillary Clinton, who is now running for US President, will testify before the Benghazi committee in Congress, answering questions about steps taken for security in 2012.

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