US senate: Benghazi attack at US consulate preventable

The deadly September 2012 attack on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi could have been prevented, a US Senate committee has said.The cross-party inquiry faulted “known security shortfalls” at the time of the attack, which killed four including US Ambassador Chris Stevens. The US state department failed to heed security warnings, the report said. The incident led to Republican allegations the White House covered up information about the attack, according to the (BBC). Senate intelligence committee investigators conducted dozens of hearings, briefings and interviews to compile the 85-page report, released on Wednesday.“The committee found the attacks were preventable, based on extensive intelligence reporting on the terrorist activity in Libya – to include prior threats and attacks against Western targets – and given the known security shortfalls at the US Mission,” the panel said.Senator Saxby Chambliss, the senior Republican on the committee, said “In spite of the deteriorating security situation in Benghazi and ample strategic warnings, the United States Government simply did not do enough to prevent these attacks and ensure the safety of those serving in Benghazi.”The White House initially said the attack grew out of protests against an anti-Islam video produced in the US.