Obama Speech On Libya Attack Mourns Diplomatic Officials

Obama: Justice Will Be Done
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In a somber address at the Rose Garden Wednesday morning, President Barack Obama mourned the four diplomatic officials whose lives were lost in the attacks at the consulate in Libya last night. He also definitively declared that "justice will be done," without specifying how or in what form.

The statement lasted less than 10 minutes in total. Obama took no questions and he made no mention of Mitt Romney, who, moments earlier in Jacksonville, had accused the president of sending mixed signals with respect to the attacks.

Instead, Obama praised Ambassador Chris Stevens, one of the slain, as a tireless diplomat.

"It's especially tragic that Chris Stevens died in Benghazi, because it is a city he fought to save," said Obama.

The president also offered his commitment to ensuring that the "attack will not break the bonds between the United States and Libya." He returned, at several points, to the notion that those who killed Steven and tried to break those bonds would be brought to justice.

"Today the American people stand united in holding the families of the four Americans in our thoughts and in our prayers," he said. "The United States condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack. We are working with the government of Libya to secure our diplomats and I have also directed my administration to increase our security at diplomatic posts around the world. And make no mistake, we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people."

"We will not waiver in our commitment to see that justice is done for the terrible act and make no mistake justice will be done," he concluded. "But we also know the lives these Americans led stand in stark contrast to those of their attackers."

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Before You Go

World Leaders React To Benghazi Attack
U.S. President Barack Obama(01 of07)
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"The United States condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack. ... Make no mistake: We will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the killers who attacked our people. ... We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, but there is absolutely no justification for this type of senseless violence, none." (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (credit:AP)
British Prime Minister David Cameron(02 of07)
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"This senseless attack ended the lives of people who had worked selflessly alongside Libyans during their darkest days. ... We look to the new Libyan authorities to do all in their power, as they have pledged to do, to bring the killers to justice. Britain stands ready to assist Libya and the United States in that task. Above all, we will honor the memory of these dedicated people by continuing their work to help Libyans build a secure and free country." (AP Photo/Ben Stansall, Pool) (credit:AP)
Hamid Karzai(03 of07)
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"The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan strongly condemns this inhuman and insulting action (the film) and shows its strong hatred against this action. Insulting the messenger of Islam is to insult the values of 1.5 billion Muslims around the world. This insulting action will cause enmity and contrast between religions and cultures in the world and will be a strong punch to peace and harmony between humans."(AP Photo/Ahmad Massoud / Xinhua, Pool) (credit:AP)
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry(04 of07)
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"Such abominable actions, synchronized with commemoration of atrocious events like 9/11, provoke hatred, discord and enmity within societies and between peoples of various faiths. The event has deeply hurt the feelings of the people of Pakistan and the Muslims all over the world." (AP Photo/Brendan Smialowski, Pool) (credit:AP)
Hezbollah(05 of07)
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The movie is an "immoral act that represents the highest levels of aggression against human rights that is represented by the respect of people's beliefs. ... The United Nations should issue laws that criminalize such acts similar to laws that criminalize anti-Semites." (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) (credit:AP)
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen(06 of07)
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"It is important that the new Libya continues to move toward a peaceful, secure and democratic future."(AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov, Pool) (credit:AP)
Libyan interim President Mohammed el-Megarif(07 of07)
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"We extend our apology to America, the American people and the whole world." (AP Photo) (credit:AP)