Violence breaks out across the world as anti-American sentiments spread among Muslims
By Genevieve Mills–
In the midst of riots in Libya and throughout the Middle East, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, was killed along with three other Americans, his staff members, at the Benghazi consulate. These riots are said to have been a response to a film trailer for “The Innocence of Muslims”, a film that mocks Islam and the prophet Mohammed. The film was made by an American filmmaker, who has since been questioned by authorities, but not arrested. While the U.S. government has denounced the video, Muslim protestors throughout the Middle East have attacked various American establishments, from embassies to fast food restaurants.
It is under debate whether or not the attack on the American ambassador was a spontaneous part of the riots or a carefully planned attack on the anniversary of Sept. 11th. The Libyan government says the attack was planned. Libya’s Interim President Mohammed el-Megarif said, “It was planned, definitely. It was planned by foreigners, by people who entered the country a few months ago. And they were planning this criminal act since their arrival.”
There have been over 50 arrests made by Libyan officials in relation to the attack but Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., disagrees with el-Megarif’s statement.
Rice claims there is no evidence of a planned attack and that the riots in Benghazi, Libya were similar to the ones in Cairo, Egypt. Of the attack on the ambassador, she said of that the original protest against the film, “Seems to have been hijacked, let us say, by some individual clusters of extremists who came with heavier weapons.” These weapons include guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
The U.S. and Libya are working together to catch those responsible for the death of the ambassador, but questions are being asked of both nations, such as why there wasn’t more military protection at the embassy. Some ask why more marines weren’t stationed to protect in Benghazi, and questions regarding what the marines were armed with have arised. Actions are currently being taken by both governments to protect Americans in Libya, as well as to prosecute the attackers.
President Obama has spoken of the attack, condemning the violence of it, and saying that the U.S. will, “work with the Libyan government to bring the killers to justice.”
“There is absolutely no justification for this senseless violence. None,” he said. “[The attack] will not break the bonds between the United States and Libya.”
This attack is one of many made on American and European embassies since Tuesday. There have been protests to the film in over 20 countries.
