Sensitive documents discovered at US consulate in Benghazi

A US reporter says sensitive documents about American operations in Libya remains loosely secured in the wreckage of the US consulate in Libyan city of Benghazi over three weeks after an attack on the compound killed its ambassador.

“Documents detailing weapons collection efforts, emergency evacuation protocols, the full internal itinerary of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens’s trip and the personnel records of Libyans who were contracted to secure the mission were among the items scattered across the floors of the looted compound when a Washington Post reporter and an interpreter visited Wednesday,” says a news article appearing in the daily’s Thursday edition. 

At least one of the documents found in the wrecked consulate, the daily writes, “indicates that Americans at the mission were discussing the possibility of an attack in early September, just two days before the assault took place.”

“The document is a memorandum dated Sept. 9 from the US mission’s security office to the 17th February Martyrs Brigade, the Libyan-government-sanctioned militia that was guarding the compound, making plans for a “quick reaction force,” or QRF, that would provide security.” 

The daily further emphasizes that many official documents may have been taken by “looters and curiosity-seekers” in the chaotic aftermath of the massive anti-American protests at the site on September 11 in reaction to the publication of a US-made anti-Islam film that grossly insulted Muslims and their highly-revered Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). 

According to the report, the documents provide information about the Libyans contracted to provide security for the mission from a British-based private firm, Blue Mountain, including their names, photographs, phone numbers and other personal data. 

The article also states that some of those Libyans say they now fear for their lives, and the State Department has said it shares concerns about their safety. 

Moreover, the daily adds, the itinerary of the US ambassador’s trip to Benghazi includes details of his plans during what was supposed to be his September 10-15 visit to the city. It contains names and phone numbers of Libyans that were scheduled to meet with the American official.

The planned meetings also included “briefings with US officials, a private dinner with influential local leaders, and meetings with militia heads, businesspeople, civil society activists and educators,” says the article. “The highlight of the visit was the opening of the American Space, a center intended to serve as a hub for U.S. culture and education.” 

According to the daily, officials at the US State Department were provided with copies of some of the documents found at the site by its reporter, but they did not ask that they be withheld from publication. 

The report further reiterates that the discovery of the sensitive document at the US diplomatic post complicates Obama administration’s response to growing criticisms about diplomatic security in Libya a few weeks before the presidential election. Republicans have alleged that Obama has left the US diplomatic posts in Muslim countries inadequately protected on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 incidents and have challenged the security measures put in place ahead of massive anti-American protest rallies at US embassies in Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Sudan. 

MFB/JR