Kerry agrees to testify on Benghazi attack

Jamie Crawford, CNN National Security Producer
2 minute read
Updated 7:33 PM EDT, Fri May 23, 2014
Attackers set the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, on fire on September 11, 2012. The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other U.S. nationals were killed during the attack. The Obama administration initially thought the attack was carried out by an angry mob responding to a video, made in the United States, that mocked Islam and the Prophet Mohammed. But the storming of the mission was later determined to have been a terrorist attack.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Attackers set the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, on fire on September 11, 2012. The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other U.S. nationals were killed during the attack. The Obama administration initially thought the attack was carried out by an angry mob responding to a video, made in the United States, that mocked Islam and the Prophet Mohammed. But the storming of the mission was later determined to have been a terrorist attack.
AFP/Getty Images
Obama and Clinton stand at Andrews Air Force Base as the bodies of the four Americans killed are returned on September 14.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Obama and Clinton stand at Andrews Air Force Base as the bodies of the four Americans killed are returned on September 14.
U.S. State Department
A desk sits inside the burnt U.S. mission on September 13, two days after the attack.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A desk sits inside the burnt U.S. mission on September 13, two days after the attack.
AFP/Getty Images
Damage is seen inside the U.S. mission on September 13.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Damage is seen inside the U.S. mission on September 13.
AFP/Getty Images
A lounge chair and umbrella float in the swimming pool of the U.S. mission on September 13.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A lounge chair and umbrella float in the swimming pool of the U.S. mission on September 13.
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators gather in Libya on September 12 to condemn the killers and voice support for the victims.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Demonstrators gather in Libya on September 12 to condemn the killers and voice support for the victims.
Reuters/Landov
U.S. President Barack Obama, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on September 12, makes a statement at the White House about Stevens' death.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
U.S. President Barack Obama, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on September 12, makes a statement at the White House about Stevens' death.
Getty Images
A burnt vehicle is seen at the U.S. mission in Benghazi on September 12.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A burnt vehicle is seen at the U.S. mission in Benghazi on September 12.
Landov
People inspect the damage on September 12.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
People inspect the damage on September 12.
EPA/Landov
A small American flag is seen in the rubble on September 12.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A small American flag is seen in the rubble on September 12.
Landov
A man stands in part of a burned-out building of the U.S. mission on September 12.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A man stands in part of a burned-out building of the U.S. mission on September 12.
Reuters/Landov
Smoke and fire damage is evident inside a building on September 12.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Smoke and fire damage is evident inside a building on September 12.
Landov
Half-burnt debris and ash cover the floor of one of the U.S. mission buildings on September 12.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Half-burnt debris and ash cover the floor of one of the U.S. mission buildings on September 12.
Landov
The U.S. mission is seen in flames on September 11, the day of the attack.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
The U.S. mission is seen in flames on September 11, the day of the attack.
Reuters
A protester reacts as the U.S. mission burns on September 11.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A protester reacts as the U.S. mission burns on September 11.
ESAM OMRAN AL-FETORI /REUTERS/LANDOV
A vehicle and the surrounding area are engulfed in flames on September 11.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A vehicle and the surrounding area are engulfed in flames on September 11.
Stringer/AFP/GettyImages
Flames erupt outside of a building on September 11.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Flames erupt outside of a building on September 11.
ESAM OMRAN AL-FETORI REUTERS//LANDOV
A vehicle burns during the attack on the U.S. mission on September 11.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A vehicle burns during the attack on the U.S. mission on September 11.
AFP/Getty Images
Onlookers record the damage from the attack on September 11.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Onlookers record the damage from the attack on September 11.
AFP/Getty Images
Onlookers walk past a burning truck and building on September 11.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
Onlookers walk past a burning truck and building on September 11.
AFP/Getty Images
A vehicle sits smoldering in flames on September 11.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
A vehicle sits smoldering in flames on September 11.
AFP/Getty Images
People duck flames outside a building on September 11.
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —
People duck flames outside a building on September 11.
Reuters/Landov
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi

Story highlights

Kerry was subpoenaed by House Oversight Committee to appear

The panel says new information on the attack prompted its request for testimony

The terror attack in Benghazi killed four Americans

NEW: Oversight Committee hearing set for June 12

CNN  — 

Secretary of State John Kerry has agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee on the deadly Benghazi terror attack, according to a letter from his office to the panel that was obtained by CNN.

Kerry was subpoenaed by Oversight panel Chairman Darrell Issa of California after new emails surfaced that Republicans say support their contention the Obama administration politicized its public response to the September 2012 assault.

The attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in eastern Libya killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

It’s not clear whether the recent formation of a House Select Committee to investigate Benghazi will impact the Oversight probe. The Republican-led Select Committee is still organizing and hasn’t scheduled any hearings.

According to the letter to Issa that was copied to top members of the Select Committee as well, the State Department said Kerry could not accommodate the Oversight panel’s demand that he appear on May 29 due to scheduling conflicts.

However, the letter said Kerry was “prepared to appear” at a later hearing, which the panel has now set for June 12.

“The committee looks forward to his appearance,” Frederick Hill, a spokesman for the panel, said in a statement.

Additionally, the State Department believes that an appearance before Issa’s committee next month would “remove any need” for him to testify before the Select Committee to “answer additional questions.”

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