US beefs up security in T&T

(Trinidad Express) Security has been strengthened at the United States Embassy in Port of Spain in light of the killing of four American personnel including ambassador Chris Stevens at the United States Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, Public Affairs Officer Alexander McLaren has said.
During a telephone interview with the Express yesterday, McLaren explained that for security reasons however, the details of the steps which have been undertaken at the embassy cannot be revealed,
McLaren said the heightened security at the embassy in Port of Spain was as a result of an order given by United States President Barrack Obama for all diplomatic postings to beef up their security.
The United States flag at the embassy will also be flown at half-mast until further notice, McLaren said.
On Tuesday the flag at the embassy was flown at half-mast in remembrance of those killed during the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.
On Tuesday night Stevens and three embassy staff were killed by Islamist gunmen who stormed the Benghazi consulate blaming America for a film they said insulted Prophet Muhammad.
Chargé d’affaires at the United States Embassy in Port of Spain, David Wolfe in a release yesterday stated:
“I know the hearts of everyone at our Embassy goes out to their families and colleagues”.
“We have seen an outpouring of sympathy and grief from the people of Trinidad and Tobago. We know the people of our two countries are united in our dedication to diversity, tolerance and mutual understanding,” Wolfe stated.
Wolfe echoed Obama’s sentiments that there was “no justification” for the attacks.
“Since his days as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, Ambassador Stevens worked tirelessly to serve our country. In Libya he was one of the first Americans on the ground as he supported the country’s transition to democracy,” Wolfe stated.
“This attack was carried out by a small and savage group of militants. The Libyan government and people across Libya have condemned the violence,” he said.