So far there's no proof that the attackers, whom killed U. S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other U. S. officials, were helped by Libyan security personnel hired by the consulate. One official said the Federal government was playing down this possibility. However, all the officials said the question of whether the attackers had inside help or advice was a serious issue in the U. Ohydrates. investigation into the attack, which occurred for the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on north america. Officials discussed the inquiry, nevertheless in its initial stages, only on condition of anonymity. A team of FBI investigators moved to Libya to lead the particular investigation. The question of whether the Benghazi attackers happens to be helped by locally hired guards was raised during a hearing on Wednesday by the Senate Committee on Homeland Protection. The panel's top Republican, Senator Leslie Collins, asked Matthew Olsen, director with the National Counterterrorism Center, whether there were indications regarding communications between militants and the Libyan guards ahead of the attack. Olsen said this was an issue "better addressed" in closed briefings which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in addition to National Intelligence Director James Clapper were scheduled to present to Congress on Thursday day. One possible indication of suspicious activity on the part of Libyan guards at the consulate can be a cryptic message which Sean Smith, an American diplomat killed inside the Benghazi attack, sent to friends inside the online gaming community, in which usually he was a long-time person. A gaming website called The Mittani on September 12 published what it said was a communication Smith sent before his death. In the message, a person while using screen-name "Vile_rat", which The Mittani claimed was Smith's, the writer claimed: "assuming we don't die tonite. We saw one of your 'police' that guard the compound capturing. " U. S. officials familiar with investigations into the attack had no immediate reply to Smith's purported message. The Point out Department has said Blue Huge batch Group, a private security company based in Carmarthen, Wales, had a contract related to vetting and hiring local residents to do security tasks at the Benghazi consulate. A government contracting database displays the department signed a contract with this nature last May for $387, 000, with options raising the worthiness to $783, 000. The data bank entry, which does not identify Blue Mountain Group, describes the effort the contractor was supposed to accomplish as "Local Guard Program : Benghazi. " Blue Mountain Group's Internet homepage describes it like a security company whose personnel got "many years" service in English special forces, including the Britain's two most elite commando units, the particular Special Air Service and Special Boat Service. A person who answered the phone at Blue Mountain Group's practices declined to comment. British authorities shut their consulate in Benghazi earlier this holiday season after a convoy carrying the particular British ambassador was attacked by militants with a rocket-propelled grenade. Two bodyguards ended up injured but Ambassador Dominic Asquith escaped unhurt. British authorities have said that violent Islamic factions will be more prevalent in Benghazi and its surrounding area than the rest of Libya. One group that is linked to the attack can be Ansar al Sharia, or Followers of Sharia. U. S. officials acknowledged this week that a leader of that militant faction can be a former inmate of the U. S. detention facility at Guantanamo These types of, Cuba. The officials told Reuters the militant leader, known as Abu Sufian Ibrahim Ahmed trash Qumu, was released from Guantanamo with 2007 by President George N. Bush's administration. The officials said so it was unclear whether Qumu took part in or helped to strong the Benghazi attack. At least one purported Ansar ing Sharia spokesman has denied the group's involvement inside the violence.
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