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Senior retired military officer wants answers on Benghazi

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    Retired Navy Adm. James Lyons sounds off

  • Duration 5:55
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-- -- top retired military leader is now calling on President Obama to come clean.

On the terror attack that killed four Americans -- consulate in Benghazi Libya.

Retired admiral James -- served in the navy for 36 years retiring a little more than twenty years ago.

After serving as commander in chief of the US Pacific fleet the largest single military command in the world.

He has just written a strong editorial.

Saying the American people deserve answers to the lingering questions about what happened in Ben Ghazi.

Joining me now retired navy admiral James -- -- it's a pleasure to meet you thank you very much for being here on the program.

Nice to be here American you -- very upset about about this situation explain why.

Well this should this attack should not have thomas' prized anybody.

We know that the brits in the Red Cross pulled out of Ben Ghazi in the middle of the summer.

Because of the deteriorating.

Security situation.

We have this 16 August message.

From the consulate back to the department of the state.

Stating they could not defend that consulate against a coordinated attack.

They identified ten well long militias.

Al-Qaeda or affiliated that were running wild.

And they had no fear the government cost the government had lost all control of east and Libya.

Plus on the day of the attack though Blue Mountains security manager.

Who actually high added.

This 17 February martyrs brigade to protect the consulate.

Sense there was something wrong.

He put out an alert.

On both those radios and cell phones.

And in fact there was been reported that there was a split between him and the martyrs brigade.

Nonetheless.

An alert went out he got on a plane and left -- -- And then beef after of that we have.

-- group that we know three hours before the attack.

The and -- -- -- sure Maria.

Militia.

Al-Qaeda or affiliated.

Was setting up roadblocks and checkpoints.

Around.

The console.

Now.

They're linked to this has now been establishing through a number of channels but I know.

You also have an issue with how we responded -- are on Jennifer Griffin has reported that three.

Calls for help.

By those who who were under attack were were ignored or rejected.

By eight the CIA it looks like and yet the CIA has denied that you say in your editorial having -- in a number of similar situations.

I know that you have to have courage to do what's right and take immediate action.

What do you mean by back.

Well in this particular case we had a 130 manned marine recon force team sitting at sick and -- Fully armed well led by a sergeant made -- and and major and the lieutenant colonel.

Who could have been there in -- -- in a matter of Allen's.

A few hours two hours plus.

We also -- F sixteen jets which would not that far away.

Which could have been used to.

-- -- the consulate in full after burn which would've -- those attacked is this data without even firing and he.

-- -- Defense Secretary Panetta says it's the fog of war you don't send troops into you know what's going on on the ground.

Well and I find it inconceivable.

They didn't know what was going on in the ground with the -- ahead drone video.

And the constant communications from the defenders.

I want to ask you about some breaking news on this situation that is this President Obama maintained at the second presidential debate.

That he would always call this terrorism that he knew from day one it was terrorism.

And then late last night CBS news which had an interview sixty minutes with the president on September 12 after this.

Releases quietly.

On its web -- a critical out take from very interview with President Obama where they specifically asked him whether this was terrorism.

And I want you to listen to what the president said let's.

Mr.

President this morning you went out of your way to avoid the use word terrorists in connection with Libya.

Do you believe that this was a terrorist attack.

-- it's too early no.

Exactly how this came about what group was involved but obviously.

It was an attack on Americans and we are going to be working with the Libyan government to make sure that we bring these folks to justice one way -- the other.

So he says is too early to know but he maintain -- the second debate that he's been for referring to it -- terror all along.

And it you know CBS news decides this sixty minutes and assists out of the peace and then doesn't post until 48 hours before the election your thoughts -- -- Total cover up mainstream media has been totally covering up this story.

It's really -- goal of borders on the criminal act here.

Do you think this story lives on if President Obama wins a second term.

I think this story will live on because of the culpability of the administration.

When you just don't let Americans -- what are your first responsibilities.

Is to ensure the safety of your personnel.

And that remains Paramount that did not occur in this situation.

Have an alliance thank you so much for being here.

Nice to be with you -- and we appreciates her.

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