US initiates massive probe into Benghazi attack

Washington, Sept 13: The

has launched a massive probe, involving several agencies including the FBI, to find out who was behind the attack on its Consulate in Benghazi that resulted in the killing of the US Ambassador to Libya.

State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland said today that investigation had begun and till then it would be better to refrain from speculating any possible involvement of al Qaeda or its affiliated groups in the incident.

"I can't draw any conclusions as to the who and how they were affiliated. We just can't do that right now, and we won't until we have more information. What I would say is that as you have probably seen, what we're seeing on social media, what we're seeing in some of the local commentary is largely related to this reprehensible video," Nuland told reporters at her daily news conference.

She was responding to a question on whether there is any indication or possibility of al-Qaeda sympathisers involved in the Benghazi attacks.

The Libyan Government, meanwhile, is conducting its own investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation too has been involved in the probe. "The FBI always becomes involved when Americans -- official Americans are killed. It has opened its own investigation into the death of these four US citizens and the attack on the consulate, on the mission," she said.

PTI