Line Went Dead As Ambassador Said, ‘We’re Under Attack’ -- New York Times
WASHINGTON — A State Department official presented a minute-by-minute account on Wednesday of what happened during the seige of the diplomatic compound in Benghazi last Sept. 11, offering the first public testimony from an American official who was on the ground in Libya that night.
The official, Gregory Hicks, described a frantic series of phone calls from the American Embassy in Tripoli to Washington and, ultimately, to J. Christopher Stevens, the American ambassador, who was in Benghazi and whose line went dead right after he uttered, “Greg, we’re under attack.”
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MIDDLE EAST
UN pulls back Golan peacekeepers after abductions.
Syria's sectarian civil war endangering Shi'ite shrines.
Syria is 'capable’ of facing Israel, says Assad.
Britain lays out plan for arming Syrian rebels.
Syria goes dark again in widespread Internet blackout.
Syrian rebel leader Salim Idriss admits difficulty of unifying fighters.
PKK rebels begin withdrawal from Turkey. Kurdish rebels begin withdrawal from Turkey.
Kerry to return to Mideast for a new effort on Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Deadly attacks strike northern Iraq. Suicide bombers target Kurds in Iraq's disputed areas.
Three military pilots killed in Yemen ambush: officials.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's heir blocked by clerics.
Israeli police detain top Jerusalem Muslim cleric for six hours.
Saudi Arabia has 13 cases of SARS-like coronavirus -WHO.
ASIA
South Korea's Park urges North Korea to choose new path.
Bangladesh braces for unrest as judges prepare war crime verdict.
Bangladesh factory death toll passes 800. Bangladesh shuts 18 garment factories after building collapse.
Japan will not revise apologies for past military conduct in Asia, officials say. Japan pulls back on denials of WWII sex slavery.
China should 'reconsider' who owns Okinawa: Academics.
As Pakistan votes, the military watches sternly from its barracks.
Doctors order Imran Khan out of election campaign after fracturing spine.
India's ruling Congress party boosted by decisive state election win.
China trade growth accelerates beating forecasts.
Dennis Rodman to Kim Jong Un: "Do me a solid" and free detained American.
AFRICA
Arms embargo lifted, but Somalia cannot afford weapons: minister.
Attack kills at least 20 Nigeria police officers.
Mohammed Morsi reshuffles Egypt’s Cabinet; 3 posts go to Muslim Brotherhood.
Weapons of war spill blood in Nigeria's insurgency.
Pakistani peacekeeper killed in eastern Congo: U.N..
South Sudan rebels overrun town; military denies claim that many soldiers were killed.
Algerian army kills seven militants in al Qaeda stronghold.
Egypt court refuses 'Camel Battle' appeal.
Libya destroys bulk mustard agent stocks.
EUROPE
Berlusconi tax fraud sentence upheld by Italian court.
France reports first case of new SARS-like virus.
Vladimir Putin's former 'cardinal' forced out of government. Architect of Putin's political system resigns.
Analysis: Putin can't blame global ills for Russia's economic crunch.
Spain's Rajoy balks at making deeper reforms.
Southern European workers fuel German immigration surge.
Belgium says 31 detained in $50m diamond heist.
3 dead, several missing in Italy shipping accident.
AMERICAS
Lawyers: Haiti cholera lawsuit threatened at UN.
Recriminations over post-vote violence stoke Venezuela tensions.
GOP Benghazi probe stokes political controversy.
Police find chains but no human remains at Cleveland kidnap house.
US gun homicides at 20-year low, surveys say.
Aristide goes before Haitian judge to give evidence in murder case.
Argentine leader's polling plunges as peso drops.
Canadian minister takes fight for oil sands crude to Europe.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Former US official describes Libya attack.
Danish jihadist killed while fighting for Muhajireen Brigade in Syria.
New jihadi magazine appeals for help against drones.
Terrorist haven in Libya.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
S&P 500 ends at record for fifth day; Groupon up late.
Freddie Mac posts second-biggest profit in its history.
EU China solar panel trade war looms.
Brazil's Azevedo wins race to head WTO.