Political leaders to memorialize slain US envoy to Libya
By REUTERS
SAN FRANCISCO - Hundreds of mourners were expected to fill a marble rotunda in San Francisco's City Hall on Tuesday for a public memorial to US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, who was killed in a militant attack on the US mission in Benghazi last month.On Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she took responsibility for the security situation at the US Consulate prior to the Sept. 11 attack that killed four Americans. The attack has become the subject of fierce partisan debate ahead of the US presidential campaign.Militants attacked the diplomatic compound in Benghazi and Stevens took shelter in a smoke-filled "safe haven" where he apparently died of asphyxiation.In contrast to the recent political firestorm over Stevens' death and the security arrangements in place at the consulate, political leaders from both parties are expected to set aside their differences as they honor Stevens' service to his country.Former Secretary of State George Shultz, a Republican, and Representative Barbara Lee, a liberal Democrat from California, are among those expected to attend.
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