New reports that WH knew Libya attack was terrorism early on

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And kidnappings from northern Mali in two neighboring countries.

Now with a larger safe haven and increased freedom to maneuver.

Terrorists are seeking to extend their reach and their networks in multiple directions.

And they are working with other violent extremists to undermine the democratic transitions underway in North Africa as we tragic.

Police sought in Ben Ghazi.

As secretary of state Hillary Clinton now suggesting al-Qaeda was involved in the deadly attack on the US consulate in Libya.

And as we told you moments ago we're now learning that US intelligence has labeled this assault an act of terrorism and did so very early on.

However the president has yet to publicly referred to it -- a terror attack something he's facing some criticism for.

Sure there's some of that motivation to just keep everything as -- this until after November 4 but the thing that's really scary about it is.

The bit that people in the region believe the United States each week and withdrawing.

And you do that you leave.

The power -- -- Joining us now KT McFarland Fox's national security analyst and -- you worked inside a variety of different administrations.

As part of the Defense Department what he is going on here.

When solely Jana I thought OK they don't want to be accused of a mission accomplished moment.

Now the president has said we won the war on terror and -- instead al-Qaeda Spanish and that's how he's campaigning but now.

If it looks like it may be there was a terrorist attack maybe there is -- -- affiliation I want say that.

So -- they really really didn't want to have that mission accomplished banner behind them.

I'm going into an election but now if what we've just uncovered here boxers -- prepare.

If administration knew on day one that it was not only a terrorist attack but it was an al-Qaeda attack.

If they knew -- for a day one because there was a Defense Department public report saying al-Qaeda in Libya a profile.

What did they know and when did they know what it's in the White House during Watergate and it was that steady constant drip drip drip the story changed.

Every day and it was it in the end it was a cover up.

Like to know is the administration covering something up.

Did they know in advance why didn't they protect the ambassador why they've been so reluctant to talked about what it really is what everybody understands it -- which is a terror.

So let's go back to the word -- then -- -- Hillary Clinton calling it violent extremist if you say it's a violent expect attacked by violent extremists vs an attack.

-- by terrorists ill what's what's the significance of the word choice there.

I think I want to use the word al-Qaeda.

Because if they use the word al-Qaeda then how can you make the claim that al-Qaeda is finished that once we got bin Laden.

Once we've left Iraq once we won the Libyan war and it's Spanish we've won.

Done deal it -- sounds like al-Qaeda not only is not finished but is making a comeback.

-- -- here's -- thing and a -- on the United States embassy overseas is considered like an attack on the United States homeland.

When they can go into an American embassy in assassinate -- American diplomats including the ambassador.

That is the equivalent of international law -- coming to Washington DC and attacking the State Department.

-- at an embassy grounds are considered American territory for example of a pregnant woman walks into an American embassy anywhere in the world and gives birth that's -- as an American citizen.

We consider -- American territory and the fact that we were attacked on September 11.

Eleven years later is this same argument.

That people have been making all wanted -- -- isn't dead that is found a new home it's taking advantage of the Arab uprisings and has found a whole new life in.

In the meddling so KT one of the things at that Press Secretary as say Jay Carney -- -- over the past two weeks as things have evolved.

The administration he says is provided as much information as it's been able to deal.

Then we learn from -- -- in his reporting.

That as of right now there hasn't been a single FBI agent on the ground and then Ghazi and were all looking towards that investigation because that's what we're told from the administration.

Will provide us more answers the FBI investigation but it's no one's on the ground.

Then what a remake of that.

What do you make a couple of things why is anybody on the ground is it too dangerous for the FBI to go there.

And secondly if the administration says hold your horses let's wait and how -- got a full investigation.

But then we find out there is no investigation.

Again if that drip drip drip what do they know when -- they know what why -- -- trying to cover it up and what's going out and it wasn't so unsafe.

In Ben Ghazi that a CIA get our CNN reporter went -- several days ago and -- the ambassadors personal diary.

So clearly somebody's there maybe not the United States FBI.

We'll continue to watch this developing story Kati thank you very much as always for your insights thanks to -- --

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New reports that WH knew Libya attack was terrorism early on

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