The death of a US ambassador to Libya has wreaked havoc on the North African nation of Libya, which is currently embroiled in a civil war. Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed on the evening of September 11th, when responding to protests outside of the US Consulate in Benghazi. Protests began in response to the release of the movie The Innocence of Muslims, which depicts Islam in a light that is offensive to many in the Muslim world. However, the attack itself was highly organized and is thought to be the work of Islamist extremists. Matthew Olsen, director of the U.S. National Counter-Terrorism Center, even goes so far as to characterize it as a terrorist attack, perhaps using more benign public protests as a cover. The attack becomes especially significant due to the timing, which took place on the anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Extensive fire power was used, including mortars, employed 6-7 hours into the attack.
In the wake of the attack, there has been more violence as the people of Libya rise in anger against those who caused this incident, attracting international attention. Anger is aimed at the many militias which have replaced a cohesive government security force in their country. Since the death of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, militia groups (small groups of highly armed people) have become increasingly powerful and dangerous. The people of Libya want the violence to stop, but the militia propagates more violence and death.
To understand the circumstances of the attack on the US Consulate, it is important to look at the reactions to the video The Innocence of Muslims across the Muslim world. Violent protests occurred in Egypt and Pakistan, resulting in dozens dead and hundreds wounded, while other countries were forced to use government power to ban protests and public gatherings. Anger was further exacerbated by the release of cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad in the French newspaper, Charlie Hebdo. Protests have caused western nations such as the United States (where the video originated) and France to close embassies and consulates, cultural centers, and schools in dozens of countries.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2206105/White-House-admits-attack-Libya-killed-ambassador-Chris-Stevens-act-terror.html?openGraphAuthor=%2Fhome%2Fsearch.html%3Fs%3D%26authornamef%3DMichael%2BZennie
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Libya+killed+night+protestermilitia+clashes+Benghazi/7284985/story.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/world/europe/french-magazine-publishes-cartoons-mocking-muhammad.html?_r=1
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