Posted on 12/31/2013 5:57:34 AM PST by maggief
The State Department on Monday said it has no evidence that “core al Qaeda” was behind last year's terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya.
“We have no indications that core al Qaeda, which I think is what most people are referring to when they talk about quote ‘al Qaeda,’ directed or planned what happened in Benghazi,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said at a briefing.
The statement appears to leave open the possibility that associates or followers of the terrorist network were involved in the assault. The comments come on the heels of a New York Times investigation published over the weekend that found no evidence of al Qaeda involvement in the Sept. 11 attack that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.
(snip)
The State Department spokeswoman acknowledged that al Qaeda’s ideology could have influenced the local militias she said were behind the attack.
“Well, it actually matters whether you say core al Qaeda directed and planned it or they didn't, or it's just some folks that are affiliated with a local group or militia or terrorist organization — that's what we're looking into right now — whether they took some inspiration from some sort of similar ideology,” Harf said.
She pushed back on those making stronger statements.
“That distinction actually matters, and for everyone that says they want to know all the facts about Benghazi, I think it's worth their time to look into all these accounts, to look into in depth stories like this and others, and really take that all into account, before going out and making blanket statements that the facts just quite frankly don't back up,” she said.
In a statement that fits with the Times account, Harf said an anti-Muslim video did play a role in the attack, calling that “common sense” from looking at how it sparked protests around the world.
The Times account pointed to local militias as being behind the planning. Harf said Ansar al-Sharia, one of the main groups cited in the Times story as participating in the assault, is “not an affiliate of core al Qaeda.”
LOL! “State” picking up the fumble by their toads at the New Yawk Slimes and running with it. Hey! Somebody has to look out for the Al Qaeda islamfascists and make sure they don’t get a bad rap. It might as well be their pals at the Times and at the U.S. State Department.
I just figured Core Soetero, Jarrett and Clinton were responsible for it.
Right on cue.
core al Qaeda ???
What is that description other than a self-serving designation to cloud the truth and give wiggle room to the administration?
Is that like saying "Core Obama" didn't actually write the ObamaScare law?
Or that core-Hillary didn't actually deny increased security at Benghazi before the 9/11 attack?
Anyone wanting on or off this ping list, please advise me or Republicanprofessor.
Great bumper sticker CC!
Al Qaeda has no core. It’s a franchise operation. Another nothing burger statement to provide cover for Obama and Clinton.
No. Wrong.
Just like 99% of the population, when I talk about al Qaeda I don't mean "core" al Qaeda (whatever the heck THAT is) I mean anyone associated with al Qaeda - that means ANY al Qaeda leader, follower, member, associate, affiliate, auxiliary, groupie, sycophant, hanger-on, brown-noser or a$$-kisser.
Are we clear on that?
Semantics...all semantics
Those Libyans have some tough “flash mobs”. They bring their own mortar platoons with them. - Department of State thinking.
I just put it up in my zazzle store this morning but it won’t show up for 24 hours.
http://www.zazzle.com/conservativetrader
Instead of defending their story on Benghazi they spent it attacking Republicans for thinking that the NYT's was covering for Hillary.
Morsi and the Muzzie Brothers did
“Can it core al-Qaida?”
Al Qaeda must love having so many willing liberal stooges running cover for them in the US State Department.
The AQ group in Lebanon didn’t pay their annual membership dues...we know hoe carefully AQ accounts for this stuff..so they were suspended at the time of the attacks, and thus NOT technically part of AQ..
Cool! Bookmarked.
In other words Bin Laden wasn’t there personally so it doesn’t count.
This illustrates perfectly an administration desperately searching for a narrative.
Every single one of them is a pathological liar.
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