Libyan Amb. Aujali: ‘We feel shame’ for attack on U.S. Consulate, difficult to tell who is behind attacks

Libyan Ambassador to the United States Ali Aujali expresses regret for the death of his friend, American Ambassador Christopher Stevens, and for the violent attacks on the U.S. consulate in Libya.

“Chris, he’s a personal friend, he’s a hero, he’s a Libyan hero,” Aujali says on “Starting Point.” Aujali describes Stevens, who was among four Americans killed in Libya late Tuesday, as a sociable man with a sense of humor. The ambassador says he knew Stevens for about six years and has played tennis with him on occasion.

“I feel shame for what happened in Benghazi, this is the city I [was] born in, this is the city [I was] grown in, this is the city I studied in,” he says. The Libyan ambassador to the U.S. also argues that the Libyan people do not support the attack on the U.S. consulate, stating rather that the incident was caused by “a very small group.” He also says it's difficult to determine who is behind the attacks.

“The people of Libya do appreciate very much the American support and from the beginning,” Aujali adds. “Without your help, without your support, without the other NATO countries, and some Arab countries’ support, I would not be today. Gadhafi would take over Libya again and he would kill most of the people who are against him.”