Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, strongly condemned the violent attacks that took place Tuesday on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt.  The attack in Benghazi killed U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other U.S. diplomats.  The attack in Cairo caused the evacuation of embassy personnel and resulted in extensive damage.  

“Our hearts go out to the families of Ambassador Chris Stevens and his colleagues who were so senselessly killed. They and their extended Foreign Service families are in our prayers. Ambassador Stevens had been in Libya during the revolution and has worked steadfastly to support the Libyan people and that country’s transition to democracy. His tragic death and that of his colleagues remind us of the dangers faced by devoted American civilians at the U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe. Armed only with their knowledge, courage, and dedication to our country, they are trained to help American citizens in crisis, to protect American interests, and to forge deeper, stronger ties with the citizens of the countries where they are serving.

“As Americans, we support the universal human rights of all to hold and express their religious beliefs, but we cannot tolerate the acts of those who exploit religion to promote violence. Let the legacy of these lives lost be a redoubling of our efforts to support our Americans working to assist democratic transition and consolidation around the world, so that others may live freely.”

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