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Subscribe to RSSIn an interview with NBC's Ann Curry, Libya's president Mohammed Magarief said there's 'no doubt' the attack that killed four Americans in Libya was preplanned, and not a result of the controversial anti-Islam movie that sparked violent protests.
Updated at 6:37 p.m. ET: An anti-Islam film that sparked violent protests in many countries had "nothing to do with" a deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi earlier this month, Libya's president told NBC News.
In an exclusive interview with NBC News' Ann Curry, President Mohamed Magarief discounted claims that the attack was in response to a movie produced in California and available on YouTube. He noted that the assault happened on Sept. 11 and that the video had been available for months before that.
"Reaction should have been, if it was genuine, should have been six months earlier. So it was postponed until the 11th of September," he said. "They chose this date, 11th of September to carry a certain message."
NYT: Deadly Libya attack a major blow to CIA efforts
Magarief said there were no protesters at the site before the attack, which he noted came in two assaults, first with rocket-propelled grenades on the consulate, then with mortars at a safe house.
Khaled Abdullah / Reuters
Protests ignited by a controversial film that ridicules Islam's Prophet Muhammad spread throughout Muslim world.
The attack took the lives of Ambassador Chris Stevens, as well as information management officer Sean Smith and security personnel Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.
US Ambassador Chris Stevens was 'courageous,' Obama says
Magarief told Curry that based on the accuracy of the assault, he believes the attackers must have had training and experience using the weapons.
"It's a pre-planned act of terrorism," he said, adding that the anti-Islam film had "nothing to do with this attack."
Though Magarief believes the attack was the work of Islamist fundamentalists, he dismisses any notion that Libya is in danger of becoming a theocracy.
Libyan President Mohammed Magarief tells NBC's Ann Curry that Islamic fundamentalists do not share the same goals and aspirations as most people in his country.
“This will never happen,“ he said. “ They don’t have the strength. They don’t have the supporters. They will remain a minority that’s isolated, that will not be accepted by us. And I’m sure Libyans will fight to the last man against seeing this happen in our land.”
'A strong friend'
Magarief said that while Libyans appeared to be behind the attack that "these Libyans do not represent the Libyan people or Libyan population in any sense of the word."
Hilary Stevens, sister of Christopher Stevens, the U.S. Ambassador to Libya who died Tuesday during an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. In an interview with Rock Center Anchor Brian Williams, Stevens reflects on her brother's legacy and work.
He added: "We consider the United States as a friend, not only a friend, a strong friend, who stood with us in our moment of need."
More than 40 people have been questioned in connection with the incident, the Libyan leader told Curry.
He described Stevens as a "humble and very unique human being" and a "great friend of Libya."
Backlash: Protesting Libyans storm militant compound
Thousands of Libyans stormed the headquarters of an Islamist militia group in Benghazi Friday night in a deadly exchange. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
The Obama administration initially maintained that the attacks were directly linked to protests over the film. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sept. 16, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said: “What happened in Benghazi was in fact initially a spontaneous reaction to what had just transpired hours before in Cairo, almost a copycat of the demonstrations against our facility in Cairo, prompted by the video.”
However, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney last week said it was "self-evident that what happened in Benghazi was a terrorist attack."
Slain ambassador's mom: 'He was trying to do something much bigger'
Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, President Barack Obama said: “There are no words that excuse the killing of innocent” people.
On Tuesday, President Obama spoke to the United Nations general assembly in an emotional speech about the recent violence against Americans. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.
More world stories from NBC News:
- Libya leader to NBC: Film had 'nothing to do with' US Consulate attack
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Leave a Comment:
OBama clueless again . . . Oh my!!! What shall we do?
Save America and the World!!! Defeat Communist Obama and the GOD-less Demon-crats!!! LOL!!!
Romney / Ryan in a landslide in 2012!!! HaHaHa!!!
JT IS AN IDIOT and jt my little head is enough to choke your slut wife and daughter and momma and it has more brains than your heads put together ha ha ha you phuck!
Jim your response to JT makes you look dumb....especially going after his family...that puts you lower than him....and you think your intelligent...
forgive me father
Very intelligent response...if your trying to impress me forget it..just try stating facts and quit slaming someones family...you might get more respect...
We came out of 8 failed years of Bush 4 failed years of his daddy. 2 wars started by Republicon lies a housing crash a stock market crash jobs being taken away by the thousands daily. I say we came back pretty damn good considering that the republicons have fought this president at every turn and have made the country suffer more than it would have. America is not STUPID they have seen the doings of the RepubliCon party in their attempt to see Obama was a 1 term prez, But he will get his 4 years and we will see what becomes of it
Housing is coming back
wall steet is doing better
401 are better
we stopped bleeding jobs
Bin Ladin is dead
GM and Chysler is saved and PAID BACK THE LOAN.
AND BUSH AND ROMNEY ARE TWO OF A KIND NEITHER ONE HAS THE BRAIN OF A PISSANT!
Name-calling is the last ditch effort of the feeble minded to maintain some shred of dignity before they succumb to bigger, better, and smarter thinkers than themselves. Jim it saddens me that you don't have the mental capacity to carry on a legitimate debate. It honestly weakens your argument when you resort to name-calling. But then again telling something like that you you is akin to talking to a 2 year old. Mind you, I'm not calling you a 2 year old. I'm using an analogy and I'm sure most can see that it's a good one.
Do you really believe all this BS. By the military's own admission, Obama changed his mind about taking out Bin Laden at least three times. Actual un-employment by some estimates is close to 15% since they don't count people who've stopped looking for work. And the housing industry is coming back alright, at a fraction of the prices people paid for their homes. This country is still in recession, Obama just won't admit it.
And also GM is doing so well GM announced it's investing MILLIONS of the bail out dollars in new facilities in RUSSIA .. providing thousands of jobs for RUSSIANS. How american of GM.
And you think bailing out GM is a credit to obama?
"The Obama administration initially maintained that the attacks were directly linked to protests over the film."
LMAO! Really? Then that would mean that the ONumbNutz camp had NO FCUKING CLUE what they were talking about. Heavens me! Say it aint so!!! I swear to you people this present administration is going to be the absolute DOWNFALL of this country! Mark my words...
your a dumb phuck azzhole
We came out of 8 failed years of Bush 4 failed years of his daddy. 2 wars started by Republicon lies a housing crash a stock market crash jobs being taken away by the thousands daily. I say we came back pretty damn good considering that the republicons have fought this president at every turn and have made the country suffer more than it would have. America is not STUPID they have seen the doings of the RepubliCon party in their attempt to see Obama was a 1 term prez, But he will get his 4 years and we will see what becomes of it
Housing is coming back
wall steet is doing better
401 are better
we stopped bleeding jobs
Bin Ladin is dead
GM and Chysler is saved and PAID BACK THE LOAN.
AND BUSH AND ROMNEY ARE TWO OF A KIND NEITHER ONE HAS THE BRAIN OF A PISSANT!
Now we are going to blame Bush Sr????? Hope the coolaid tastes real good this morning Jim.
Seems as though some people here have either OD on their meds or been smoking some strong stuff...all they can do is repost...very intelligent people....
Typical NBC News; show an interview with the Libyan president who says that the anti-islam film had nothing to do with the US consulate attack, followed by a slide show depicting "Anger over film spreads throughout the muslim world." Gotta keep pushing the obama administration lies!
What makes anyone think Obama or Romney are ether one going to serve working class Americans? It would be political suicide to truly serve the majority. The wealthy elite placed them both up there as candidates cutting anybody who doesn't fit their mold. We went to bed with China and many other countries over trade agreements that strangle the American dream. Our hope for a modest retirement after years of hard work. The feds have not only stolen our Social security but are planing on moving the age for retirement up again. Taxes up or down are simply a sign that ether party plans on U.S. workers working longer and harder for less. Taxes are a band-aid on or off. This two party system jerk around has become obnoxious. The only hope for America the beautiful is through the consumer and hopefully a few savvy businessmen that still love this wonderful nation. Our education system is beyond outrageous, it's down right embarrassing as much as a tragic saga. The curriculum is decades behind as well as the teachers wages. Gross negligence on state funding along with misappropriated money in so many areas. I don't need to lay out specifics, it's been our history sense the Nixon era. I find it hard to believe that across all of this nation, the best they could come up with are these two clowns.
What even scarier than this article and obama lying and not having a clue once again, is the amount of people that will vote for him.
It is depressing that there is so little knowledge of what this is all about. You people just want to blame the democrats of the republicans or al qaeda or the rich or who ever. (by the way the media tought you to do that) Because that is something you can understand.
This fight started thousands of years ago. When Abraham had two children, one from the bond servant and one from the free woman. You have Biblical events "prophesies" unfolding all around the world right before your eyes and you see nothing but this side did it or that side.
This is 100% about whom "you" will serve. Bickering, blaming and pointing the finger isn't going to help your personal cause when the stuff hits the fan. Knowledge from the Bible is the only thing that is going to help "you". There isn't much time left the signs are all around you.
Boloney, an intelligent evaluation of the election process and the powerful manipulation throughout the entire election, points directly to the wealth of this nation. Stop kidding yourself if you think the working class are choosing a representative with their interest in mind.
The gnawing nagging question remains, why, even when the leaders of the Nations where the "attacks" occurred say, that it was more about when the date of the WHEN the attacks happened (9/11), than the video why does Obama still promote "the video" as the cause? THINK ABOUT IT..............
Nothing More Than The Endless Spewing Of Toxic Troll Nonsense Trying To Cover Up The Not War Crimes Of Barrack H Obama And His Wall Street Masters!
Bush = Obama = Wall Street....That Should Be Simply Enough For ANY OF THESE Corporate Welfare RATS Be They DemoRAT Or RepubloRAT! (Even For Such Genetically Damaged RATS As Poor Little Jimmy)
At Some Point Americans Have To Understand That This Constant Fear Mongering Propaganda From Wall Street And Their Corruption Of OUR GOVERNMENT Is The Problem And Never Has Been The Solution!
America.....No More NOT WARS For Corporate Fun & Profit And Just Say NO To The DHS / TSA Sticking Their Hands Down Our Children's Pants Merely To Protect Wall Street And to Condition Their Slaves!
Before We Allow Them To Waste Any More Of Our Precious Blood & Treasure In The UN Globalists & Banksters NOT WAR Profiteering Schemes Watch This PBS Video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l-8PFk8j5I
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
Please help in getting these clowns out of office in November.
Don't look now, the copy and paste trolls are out and about.
GET BACK UNDER YOUR BRIDGE!
Jim and JT display what is wrong with America. It's full of Jar Heads. And here I thought the USMC gave your brains back when they were done with you.
And now, for the rest of the story...
Libya will definitely do what it can to keep the money flowing in. Same goes for our illustrious party peeps. One lie at a time.
Do I have all the answers? Not no, but hell no! Applying Occums' razor yields a one word answer.. GREED.
I will do my part by voting for neither major party candidate. It's time to torch Gipettos' house along with his extremely long nosed wooden boys.
Herb, I do not think, not voting, is the answer. I thought of doing the same and all be it, it is the lesser of 2 evils, I will vote for the one that wants to get America back on track, Romney. I believe that in 2016, if whomever get elected this time does not get America back on track, it will be time for a third party, and believe a third party will win.
Wait - Is this guy suggesting that there are Muslims who have been brain-washed into hating Americans? No way!
I agree it's not possible - Muslims don't wash anything!!!
NOW, CAN WE ONCE AND FOR ALL ( the President, Susan Rice et al) stop talking about the F...ing movie.
Don't bet on it...I figure BHO is good for at least one more apology....:0)
It was clearly evident that it was a planned attack. Obama doesn't want to appear weak and useless overseas too. The white house is trying to deceive the citizens of the US into believing his version. A new Jimmy Carter emerges from the white house. Obama rebuilding America to the ground.
The see him as weak already....he need not do much more to convince them that he has no idea of what's going on in the ME
banthebook
You make a good point, and as obama has said himself "Rebuild from the ground up"....
But ANY Builder knows, to 'Rebuild from the ground up" means you have to destroy/tear down what is presently there
This comment section is usless drivil.
then go away...
Obama lied to the whole world yesterday and they know it.
Funny part is 47% of the USA population are still brainwashed Obamabots and can't think for themselves and depend on Obama to do it for them.
It's semantics.... terrorism maybe because they were attacking a foreign entity that happened to be on their soil. On the other hand, most of the militias that exist in Libya appear to be formed around the idea of somehow seizing control of the country again - that's just pure and simple rebellion. The video had at least the impact of giving them the pretext to carry out what they did. Both terrorism and rebellion are usually preplanned. So...terrorism or rebellion is anyone's guess unless we capture the leaders and find out what their motivation was.
I don't think President Obama has to worry about appear weak overseas - ask Osama and the other 20 or so "heads" of Al-Quaeda who have been "beheaded" by this administration's decimation of that group. Ask the Taliban who have been chased into the far corners of Afghanistan - yes they are still causing trouble with individuals who impersonate and kill NATO personnel from within, but they don't terrorize and kill at large with impunity as they once did.... while we were busy looking for WMD in Iraq.
That was no pre-text, it was planned, and Obama should have figured that on 9/11 something could always happen.....but he and Hilliary did nothing to bolster secutity..why were the Marines not able to defend the Embassy? Who told them not to? There are to many questions that Obama will never answer,,,,
@lib in ok............SOS....(stop obvious spewing). Do you realize that simply being a liberal lawn sprinkler, spewing mantra and template, as your Democrat master controls your "spicket" , does nothing to promote the idea that you are an individual capable of individual thought?
Obviously NO ONE in the Middle East, is in fear of Obamas "wrath". As "protesters" in Egypt proved, chanting as they scaled our Embassy walls, " Obama, Obama, we are all Osamas". And though it has been TEMPLATE on the left for years........"NO WMD's IN IRAQ", I am sorry to inform you but WMD's (weapons of mass destruction) are not confined to nuclear weapons alone.
Sadam used poison gas on Kurdish people in his own country. Under Sadams orders, Iraqi helicopters, sprayed poison gas and killed Kurdish men, women, and children by the hundreds. There is archive footage of Kurds. bloating in the sun, even mothers who died where they fell, still holding their children.
Poison gases are considered WMD's. But you as all Democrats seem to have a need to denigrate Bush, our military, in an attempt to "prop up" Obamas failed Presidency, by claiming our Nations assistance to topple Sadams tyrannical rule in Iraq needs to be vilified.
Why then are we suppose to praise Obama for, the killing of Osama, the death of Kadaffi. and assisting other Middle Eastern Nations to topple their Governments. Other than liberal hypocrisy, what is your explanation of that??? Why because its OBAMA..........sorry not all of us have the same SLAVISH admiration of Obamas "celebrity status". We in this Nation need a leader, not another Kardashian........
Mruseurhead
I like your post, but the first paragraph is GREAT, mind if I use it sometime?
Obama's working hard to avoid any connection between his support of Arab Spring and this Islamic uprising mess that shows the militants have taken control in former US allied countries. Insisting that our buddies, the dictators, step down has made every one of our few remaining friends in the Middle East mistrust Obama. What a mess he created by supporting the Islamic uprisings, that is unless it was his intent to weaken us in the region anyway. Of ourse for that to be true, he'd probably have to be an undercover communist Kenyan Islamic subversive himself. Now that wouldn't be possible -----would it?
The Obama administration is lying to not only its citizens, but to the world. Obama's speech at the U.N. was a joke. More whimpering and coddling of terrorists. When we believe foriegn leaders over our own, its time to make a change.
Obama has become a world-wide laughing stock to those who want to do us harm.
I have reiterated over and over that Obama lying should never be a news item. It would be a Pulitzer Prize winning article if he ever told the TRUTH!
Obama is a liar and is covering up his failure.
Why is the media still lost on this subject? Because Obama lied, Hillary lied, the media propagated the lie. Sad that critical issues such as this are twisted by lies in the face of the American public. Nov 6 will bring in a real leader that demands the truth. Goodbye Obama, goodbye Hillary, goodbye lies.