Newly released probe may raise unintended questions about U.S. facility
JERUSALEM — Was the U.S. mission in Benghazi established in violation of international law?
According to the 39-page report released this week by independent investigators probing the September 11th attacks at the diplomatic facility, the U.S. mission in Benghazi was set up without the knowledge of the new Libyan government.
Reads the report: “Another key driver behind the weak security platform in Benghazi was the decision to treat Benghazi as a temporary, residential facility, not officially notified to the host government, even though it was also a full-time office facility.”
“This resulted in the Special Mission compound being excepted from office facility standards and accountability under the Secure Embassy Construction and Counter-Terrorism Act of 1999 (SECCA) and the Overseas Security Policy Board (OSPB).”
The report, based on a probe led by former U.S. diplomat Thomas Pickering, calls the facility a “Special U.S. Mission.”
Until now, government descriptions routinely referred to the facility as a “mission,” while the news media largely wrongly labeled the building a “consulate.”
Read More: Klein Online
