Baird calls deadly Libyan consular attack “senseless,” calls for swift justice

OTTAWA – Canada is condemning an attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya that killed the American ambassador to that country and three of his staff.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird calls the attack senseless.

And he is demanding that Libya take all necessary steps to protect diplomatic missions in the violence-riddled nation.

U.S. President Barack Obama also condemned the attacks on the consulate and has ordered increased security at U.S. diplomatic posts around the world.

The attacks occurred Tuesday night in the eastern city of Benghazi when protesters stormed the consulate in what officials say was an angry response to a film that ridiculed Islam and its founder, Muhammad.

Ambassador Chris Stevens, 52, and three other Americans were killed when Stevens and a group of embassy employees went to the consulate to try to evacuate staff.

Stevens is the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in an attack since 1979, when Ambassador Adolph Dubs was killed in Afghanistan.