TNI Bureau: The US ambassador to Libya was killed in a rocket attack in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. Three other staff members including the diplomat’s bodyguards were also reportedly killed in the attack.

The ambassador was on a short visit to Benghazi when the consulate came under attack. The Libyan interior ministry confirmed the US ambassador’s death on Wednesday.

He died of suffocation during the attack, along with two US security personnel. Another consulate employee, whose nationality could not immediately be confirmed, was also killed. Two other staffs were also injured in the attack.

The deceased were flown to Tripoli and then will be sent to the United States.

According to foreign media reports, the ambassador was on his way to a venue when gunmen opened fire at his car. The gunmen had stormed the compound of the US consulate in Benghazi on Tuesday evening that led to the clashes with Libyan security forces.

The unidentified gunmen fired at the building, threw handmade bombs at the compound. Even the protesters reportedly tore down the US flag and burnt it over a film that had allegedly insulted Prophet Mohammad.

Reacting to the attack, British foreign secretary William Hague said there was no justification for the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi.