Approximately noon EDT: The U.S. Embassy in Cairo issues the following statement:
The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of other
Approximately 5 PM EDT: Protestors in Cairo storm the U.S. Embassy, tear down the U.S. flag, and replace it with an al Qaeda flag.
Approximately 8 pm EDT: The U.S. Embassy in Cairo tweets:
This morning's condemnation (issued before protest began) still stands. As does our condemnation of unjustified breach of the Embassy.
Approximately 8 pm EDT: AP reports, "A Libyan security official says one American consulate employee has been shot dead and another wounded in the hand during an attack at the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Bengazi."
Approximately 10:00 PM EDT: Politico reports, "The Obama administration is disavowing a statement from its own Cairo embassy that seemed to apologize for anti-Muslim activity in the United States."
Approximately 10:30 pm EDT: Romney issues following statement: "I'm outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi. It's disgraceful that the Obama Administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks."
Approximately 10:45 pm EDT: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemns attack on Benghazi mission. No mention is made of attack on U.S. embassy in Egypt.
Approximately 12:00 am EDT: Obama campaign spokesman Ben Labolt issues the following statement: "We are shocked that, at a time when the United States of America is confronting the tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya, Governor Romney would choose to launch a political attack."
Approximately 5:00 AM EST: Reuters reports that US Ambassador Chris Stevens and 3 other embassy staff killed in Benghazi.
Approximately 10:00 AM EST: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton makes remarks on the deaths of American personnel in Benghazi. No mention is made of Egypt.
Approximately 10:30 AM EST: Mitt Romney takes questions from press on Egypt and Libya.
Approximately 11:00 AM EST: Obama issues statment on Benghazi. No mention of Egypt. Obama takes no questions.
