The Consulate Attack's Impact on U.S.-Libya Ties

U.S. President Barack Obama on Sept. 12 condemned the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three others, and the president vowed to bring the responsible parties to justice. Nearly coinciding with Obama's statement, the Libyan parliament on Sept. 12 selected Deputy Prime Minster Mustafa Abu Shagour, a dual citizen of the United States and Libya with close ties to the U.S. government, to serve as the country's next prime minister.

The high-profile death of Washington's top diplomat in Libya will pressure the United States to assist the government in Tripoli's security efforts to combat jihadists in Benghazi. The selection of Abu Shagour as prime minister could facilitate cooperation between the countries at the diplomatic level due to his background. The United States will likely take advantage of the situation to secure its strategic presence in the region.