State Dept. ignored requests for guards and safety upgrades in Libya, independent inquiry finds

The New York Times is reporting tonight that an independent inquiry into the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 places the brunt of the blame on the State Department for ignoring requests for guards and relying on local militias for protection.

The panel that conducted the inquiry suggested 29 improvements to prevent future incidents, all of which were accepted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a letter to Congress. Clinton, who was scheduled to testify on Benghazi Thursday, is asking for $1.3 billion to make improvements in overseas security.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Benghazi report says `systematic' State Dept management failures left consulate vulnerable.

— Ken Thomas (@KThomasDC) December 19, 2012

Hillary can review detail report on Benghazi and approve 29 recommendations but can't testify on Hill Thurs? #Benghazi #DiplomaticIllness

— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) December 19, 2012

Did Hillary have an advanced copy of the review of #Benghazi before she "bumped her head"? #7hoursofhell #inhiding

— Jeanne (@JEANNEinWa) December 19, 2012

https://twitter.com/seanagnew/status/281226166243827712

https://twitter.com/Cubannator/status/281225920730247169

https://twitter.com/RightWingB/status/281224096862314497

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accepts 29 Benghazi review board suggestions to improve embassy security. Now… owning responsibility??

— SHAUN HASSETT, CAMS (@DUE_DILIGENCE2) December 19, 2012

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https://twitter.com/stackiii/status/281223750026928131

The unclassified version of the report is available as a PDF from the State Department website.

Update:

If you’re pressed for time, others are offering their condensed versions of the report.

https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/statuses/281237503288156161

https://twitter.com/CuffyMeh/status/281236716881334273

More from Richard Grenell, former U.S. spokesman at the United Nations:

http://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/statuses/281235272367222784

http://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/statuses/281236611872718848

http://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/statuses/281236970217279493

http://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/statuses/281238560206647297

http://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/statuses/281239208088195072

http://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/statuses/281241185081774081