Sources: Key task force not convened during Benghazi consulate attack

AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon, File

CBS News has learned that during the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Mission in Benghazi, the Obama Administration did not convene its top interagency counterterrorism resource: the Counterterrorism Security Group, (CSG).

"The CSG is the one group that's supposed to know what resources every agency has. They know of multiple options and have the ability to coordinate counterterrorism assets across all the agencies," a high-ranking government official told CBS News. "They were not allowed to do their job. They were not called upon."

Information shared with CBS News from top counterterrorism sources in the government and military reveal keen frustration over the U.S. response on Sept. 11, the night Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed in a coordinated attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya.

The circumstances of the attack, including the intelligence and security situation there, will be the subject of a Senate Intelligence Committee closed hearing on Nov. 15, with additional hearings to follow.

Counterterrorism sources and internal emails reviewed by CBS News express frustration that key responders were ready to deploy, but were not called upon to help in the attack.

CBS News has agreed not to quote directly from the emails, and to protect the identities of the sources who hold sensitive counterterrorism posts within the State Department, the U.S. military and the Justice Department.

As to why the Counterterrorism Security Group was not convened, National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor told CBS News "From the moment the President was briefed on the Benghazi attack, the response effort was handled by the most senior national security officials in governments. Members of the CSG were of course involved in these meetings and discussions to support their bosses."

Absent coordination from Counterterrorism Security Group, a senior U.S. counterterrorism official says the response to the crisis became more confused. The official says the FBI received a call during the attack representing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and requesting agents be deployed. But he and his colleagues agreed the agents "would not make any difference without security and other enablers to get them in the country and synch their efforts with military and diplomatic efforts to maximize their success."

Another senior counter terrorism official says a hostage rescue team was alternately asked to get ready and then stand down throughout the night, as officials seemed unable to make up their minds.

25 Photos

U.S. consulate attack in Libya

A third potential responder from a counter-terror force stationed in Europe says components of AFICOM -- the military's Africa Command based in Stuttgart, Germany -- were working on course of action during the assault. But no plan was put to use.

"Forces were positioned after the fact but not much good to those that needed it," the military source told CBS News.

"The response process was isolated at the most senior level," says an official referring to top officials in the executive branch. "My fellow counterterrorism professionals and I (were) not consulted."

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The official says a protocol set forth in a classified presidential directive calls for the Counterterrorism Security Group (CSG) to be convened in the event of a possible terrorist attack. According to a public military document, the directive was designed to "synchronize the efforts of all the government agencies that have a role to play in the Global War on Terrorism."

The Administration also didn't call on the only interagency, on-call, short notice team poised to respond to terrorist incidents worldwide: the Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST). FEST's seasoned experts leave within four hours of notification and can provide "the fastest assistance possible."

FEST Teams deployed immediately after al Qaeda bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa in 1998, and the USS Cole in 2000, but were not used for Benghazi, to the chagrin of some insiders. It's likely that the CSG task force, if contacted, would have recommended FEST aid.

"First a tactical response was needed," says a senior U.S. counterterrorism official, "and while that was being implemented, the holistic response could have been developed and deployed within hours" which could have allowed the FBI investigate safely on site well ahead of the "24 days it took."

When asked why the FEST wasn't utilized, a State Department official said it was used previously in East Africa because of damage sustained to a U.S. Embassy "to help restore communications and other infrastructure support. In this case, that was unnecessary at Embassy Tripoli."

A White House official told us that at the start of the attack, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta "looked at available options, and the ones we exercised had our military forces arrive in less than 24 hours, well ahead of timelines laid out in established policies." He also said a "small group of reinforcements" was sent from Tripoli to Benghazi, but declined to say how many or what time they arrived. The Pentagon moved a team of special operators from central Europe to Sigonella, Italy but gave no other details.

Ambassador Stevens and three other Americans died in a protracted battle over the course of eight hours. It's believed two of the victims, Navy SEALs Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, died in a mortar attack some six or seven hours after the U.S. Mission was first overrun by a terrorist mob that burned buildings and used AK-47 rifles, bombs, and mortars.

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[mkelley12000]

I bet Attkisson is a pariah within CBS for daring to criticize the Obama administration. She better watch her back.

[jelink]

Sharyl Attkisson gets props for being the only reporter on CBS who actually tries to report.

She did really great work on "Fast and Furious", alone among "the Majors" and (of course) the CNN/MSNBC knee-padded Rumpswabs and Peg Boys for the Obamanoids and King Putt himself.

[guntrc]

Why didn't the administration call upon the CSG; Not a hard question for those that are not actively supporting the Obama narrative....CBS congratulations you've decided to start reporting real news stories to compliment all of the Pro Obama stuff that you've been feeding the American public for so long. First question is, where were you 8 months ago, when the parents of these guys were going through anguish being lied to by our public servants; second is will this story actually make it to the morning show.....doubt it.

[John_in_SD]

What was it 10 days after the attack the President before the United Nations and lied about the video. I can live with some messed up but to carry on lies for a week plus really hurts.

[tamlock]

It's very clear and obvious that Obama withheld the fact that Al Quida extremist Terrorist still exist and attacked us on September 11, the one day when our Security should be at its highest. He withheld this information for political reasons because he was worried about the election and not being re-elected. Whats funny is that supposedly the information was classified not to tempt extremist groups and I guess now its not classified anymore because General Proteaous had an affair...So I guess we didn't need to know until the investigation which only happened because the Republicans wouldnt let it go. I mean,what are the odds of a anti-muslim video being played a week earlier? I read that Obama denounced the video or somebody from the White House did. How can he always have all these "outs"? So far he knew about Patreaous and didnt tell us and he knew about Al Quida being involved and he didnt tell us. He didnt tell us until he had too. I guess Al Quida isn't classified anymore, when did he decide that? He didn't, the General told us, not him. Just like the General decided when to quit. Patreaus quit on the eve of the election, Al Quida comes out when Patreaus tells us what he knew. Obama doesn't tell us nothing and never would if he didnt have too. The guys got too many secrets and his major two so far are about our Head of our countrys defense and about our biggest evil enemy, Al Quida...What a coincidence. whats next????? the truth will come out.....

[LynnainTx]

This was public knowledge weeks ago on FOX news, Twitter and Facebook. Why is it CBS took so long to post this information and who so minimal coverage. Seems CBS was trying to suppress information that could have affected the election. Like a Commander in chief who told our military to 'stand down' while he watched our people die under enemy fire. Thats a shame and your place in journalism credibility will forever be questioned since you with held the truth on this critical topic until now. You can not expect us to believe CBS JUST NOW learned about this.

[marekallens]

We need another Journalistic Woodward and Bernstein moment in the mainstream media, as no one else at CBS seems to put journalism before politics it looks like you are the one to do it Sharyl. Without the trust that real journalism generates it is no wonder the big 3 networks have been plunging in the ratings. As you can see from the number of comments, when real journalists do their job and report...people will come. If you get canned for it so be it, the people that really want to know will follow you where ever you go.

[jerrytollison]

So where has CBS been for the last month? This story has been reported by FOX news for the last 4 weeks. Your news network is complicit in the Obama coverup. Shame on CBS news and the rest of your cohorts on NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC. Did you finally realize your appointed one is going to lose and you are trying to regain any credibility that you have lost over the last 20 years? Sorry guys, I have lost all faith in your ability to report what is going on here and around the world.

[kevwells1]

The new SEAL TEAM SIX movie and the Benghazi story have a lot in common. They are both about the President, both about SEALs, both about terrorists killing Americans, and both have had significant edits. Where they differ is that one had to be rushed to your TV screens and one has had to be delayed as much as possible.

[bringinit2ya]

I couldn't agree more.

[sabniz]

the Obama admin's incompetence in handling Banghazi embassy attack caused 4 American lives. he assumed the responsibility and therefore he has the 4 people's blood in his hand.

it's just so sick to listen to Obama, Hillary and other top officials talking about the video over and over immediately after the attack. what's their problem not to protect those 4 people there, and to divert the attention to a stupid video instead?

[buckeybb]

This just makes me sick and now after 8 weeks the Media is just now following it i'm discussed. if this President is reelected everyone that votes for him will have blood on their hands as well