Pentagon Deploys Security Team to Libya

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By Claudette RouloAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2012 – DefenseSecretary Leon E. Panetta has authorized deployment of a Marine Corps fleetantiterrorism security team to Libya to protect U.S. citizens there and tosecure the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little saidhere today.
During a Pentagon news conference,Little said Panetta strongly condemns the recent attacks on U.S. diplomaticfacilities in the Middle East.
“The secretary extends his deepestsympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire State Departmentfamily,” Little said. “The department has been working with the White House andState Department to provide resources to support the security of U.S. personneland facilities in Libya.”
Little said the Defense Departmentsupported the evacuation of American personnel and casualties out of Libya andis supporting the repatriation of the remains of the four State Departmentpersonnel, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, who were killed in theattack late Tuesday on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefsof Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey also have worked over the past 48 hourswith combatant commanders throughout the region to conduct reviews of theirforce postures, he said. They also are working “to ensure that we have theflexibility to respond to requests for assistance or orders as directed by thepresident of the United States,” he added.
Little said the focus of the DefenseDepartment is now on supporting whole-of-government efforts to provide securityto American personnel in Libya and elsewhere, working closely with the StateDepartment, “and then supporting any efforts that we may be called upon toassist in the effort to, as the president said, ‘deliver justice.’”
“The FBI and Department of Justice haveopened an investigation into this tragic event,” Little said. “Obviously, wewill cooperate fully if called upon to support their investigation.
“Rest assured that this department isgoing to work very closely with our interagency partners to help investigate[and], if we're called upon, to assist,” he continued. “And we will play ourpart in getting to the root of what happened.”