FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2012) — Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at state office buildings be lowered to half-staff until sundown Sunday in honor of the U.S. ambassador and other Americans killed Tuesday in an attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.
On the 11th anniversary the 9/11 attacks, protests over a U.S. film mocking Prophet Mohammed turned deadly in Libya’s second city, in what U.S. government officials may have been pre-planned assaults.
The violence began around 10 p.m. Tuesday, CNN said, amid a protest by the radical Islamist group Ansar Al-Sharia against the film.
Four hours later, the consulate in Benghazi was destroyed and four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, were dead.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the attack against the American consultate that resulted in the deaths of the Americans, CNN reported today.
Beshear’s order follows a proclamation from President Barack Obama ordering the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings to honor those who died.
“These Americans died in courageous service to our country, and we honor them in lowering flags to half-staff,” Beshear said. “Our prayers go out to the families, friends and colleagues of the ambassador and the others who died in this senseless attack.”
The governor encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in the tribute.
Flag status information is available here.
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