Italy Evacuates Benghazi Consulate After Attack

Consul was shot at, but not hurt
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 15, 2013 1:15 PM CST
Italy Evacuates Benghazi Consulate After Attack
In this Jan. 12, 2013, photo, an armed guard stands next to the armored car of the Italian Consul, Guido De Sanctis, that was fired on as he left the consulate on Saturday in Benghazi, Libya.   (AP Photo/Mahmoud Sohim)

Italy's consul in Benghazi was attacked over the weekend, prompting Italy to suspend all activity at the consulate there and withdraw all staff today. Gunmen fired on diplomat Guido De Sanctis' car Saturday, prompting recollections of the fatal September attack on the US mission in the Libyan city. De Sanctis was unhurt, Reuters reports. Yesterday, a Libyan official said the country is creating a special security force to protect consulates and embassies after a wave of militant attacks on such institutions, the AP notes. (More Benghazi stories.)

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