09.12.12

Hoeven Condemns Killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and Diplomatic Staff

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the deaths of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three American diplomats at the hands of armed militants in Benghazi, Libya:

“We condemn the tragic and unwarranted killing of Ambassador Stevens and the other brave American diplomats who died at the hands of violent militants in an armed attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi. There is no excuse for the indiscriminate killing of innocents, and we expect the close cooperation of the Libyan government to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.

“At the same time our thoughts and prayers go to the families of Ambassador Stevens and his staff. He and other consulate personnel were working to share the blessings of peace and liberty with the people of Libya during their critical period of transition to democratic rule. The path from oppression to democracy is not easy, and we honor these brave Americans for their commitment to freedom across the globe.

“These tragic deaths should also be an occasion for the State Department to review security measures for United States personnel working in regions of the world, like Libya, that have been shaken by revolution and violence in recent years. We owe nothing less to those who put themselves on the front lines to defend America’s national interests.”