The US has sent a team of 50 marines and two Navy guided missile destroyers to Libya following the assassination of Chris Stevens, US ambassador to the country, and three other embassy staff.
Unidentified military officials were quoted by Fox News as saying that the dispatched marine ‘fast team’ is from the US Naval base in Rota, Spain, and is expected to safeguard additional US Embassy personnel in Tripoli.
Deployment follows an order by US President Barack Obama, stating: "All necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe."
Another military official said that the two destroyers would be deployed for ‘contingency purposes’.
According to a US official, no other American personnel were stationed at the attacked Benghazi consulate.
The attack occurred in Benghazi on 11 September 2012 during protests over a film, which allegedly insulted the Prophet Mohammad.
The film named ‘The Innocence of Muslims’ made several inflammatory allegations about Islam.
A Libyan official confirmed the four deaths, informing Reuters that gunmen fired rockets at the US ambassador’s car while he was on his way to a safer venue in the eastern city of Benghazi.
Earlier, a US Consulate was attacked by protestors in Benghazi resulting in the death of one staff member.
