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Connect the World
Libyan Government Condemns Embassy Attack, Asks U.S. For Help; Hillsborough Stadium Victims Vindicated By Government Apology
Aired September 12, 2012 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ZAIN VERJEE, HOST: Tonight on Connect the world, the U.S. will not be shaken.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VERJEE: President Obama condemns the attack on the U.S. embassy in Libya as America mourns the four nationals killed.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN London, this is Connect the World.
VERJEE: As news emerges the attack may have been planned, we ask what this means for extremism in the region.
Also tonight, 23 years after the worst sporting disaster in England's history, the British Prime Minister apologizes. Families of the victims killed give us their reaction.
And a little thinner, a little wider, we look at the next must have version of the iPhone.
The United States is beefing up its embassy security around the world after an attack that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three diplomatic staffers were killed when a heavily armed mob stormed the consulate building in Benghazi. It first appeared to be a protest that got out of hand, but now U.S. sources say the attack was planned and the demonstration outside the embassy was used as a diversion.
U.S. President Barack Obama called the attack shocking and outrageous.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for. Today we mourn for more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America. We will not waiver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act. And make no mistake, justice will be done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VERJEE: Demonstrators also attacked the U.S. embassy in Cairo on Tuesday. Protesters in both countries were apparently angry about an online video considered offensive to Islam. Libya's prime minister described the attack as a, quote, "cowardly, criminal act."
Let's get the very latest from CNN's Jomana Karadsheh who is in the capital Tripoli. Jomana, what are you hearing about the latest reports that this was a planned attack?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNAITONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Zain, it did seem initially like you said 24 hours ago when this story broke, it was reported by eyewitnesses in Benghazi that the attackers there were saying that they were there to protest, but all indications today, and we are hearing this from senior Libyan government officials in a press conference today, the speaker of the Libyan parliament did say that it coincided, this attack coincided with the September 11 anniversary and it does seem that this was carried out by groups he said that are using Libya to stage what he described as revenge attacks against the west, saying that Libya will not allow this to happen.
While these strong words are coming from the Libyan government, Zain, saying they will not allow this to happen, this is not an isolated incident. We have seen over recent months attack after attack taking place in and around the city of Benghazi targeting foreign interests there.
The U.S. consulate, that same very building, a bomb detonated right outside that building back in June, a few days later the convoy of the British ambassador also targeted in Benghazi.
These attacks claimed by jihadi groups operating there in the eastern part of the country, Libya saying today, officials speaking today saying that they will need the help of the international community in dealing with these groups.
VERJEE: What kind of help do they want?
KARADSHEH: Well, they did not specify what they wanted, Zain, what kind of help and support they needed, but obviously there is clearly a security vacuum here. Libya is really unable to provide the necessary security to foreign interests in the country, seeing these attacks, other attacks on the International Committee for the Red Cross, forcing it to pull out from the city of Benghazi recently and the city of Misrata, attacks also blamed on Islamist -- Islamic extremist groups operating in the area.
So what really needs to happen we'll see what is offered to Libya. Of course this is a very sensitive issue here. There has been concern by people here, even though they are condemning the attacks, regular Libyans are saying we do not want to see any foreign troops on Libyan land, although we are against these attacks we don't want to see extremists, they want to see their government dealing with this.
VERJEE: CNN's Libya correspondent Jomana Karadsheh speaking to us from the capital Tripoli, thank you.
As we mentioned the attack in Benghazi followed a violent protest outside the U.S. embassy in Cairo. The Egyptian prime minister called that attack regrettable and unjustifiable.
Ian Lee joins me now from Cairo.
Ian, has security been visibly beefed up at the U.S. embassy there?
IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Zain, I can tell you that riot police now have the front of the embassy cordoned off to separate any protesters from the embassy itself. And recently we received, or we found a message on President Mohammed Morsi's Facebook page talking about what happened. This is the first time little over 24 hours after the incident this is the first time the president has spoken. And I want to show -- draw the comparison between his two responses.
First, his reaction to the film. He says the presidency condemns in the strongest terms the attempt of a group to insult the place of the messenger, the prophet Mohammed and condemns the people who have produced this radical work. Strong condemnation from the presidency.
Now when he talks about those who stormed the embassy, this is what he says, "the presidency also confirms that the Egyptian government is responsible to protect private and public properties and diplomatic missions in addition to embassy headquarters of various countries." Really weak language when it comes out. The first one strongly condemning, he says he strongly condemns this one. He recognize that they have a duty to protect embassies, not really going after the people who stormed the embassies, albeit the foreign ministry and the prime minister both have come out and used strong condemnation against the people who stormed the embassy and both saying that security would be beefed up to ensure that this wouldn't happen again, Zain.
VERJEE: Well, can the government really stand by that? Can they handle the security problem in the country? I mean, are western diplomats safe in Egypt?
LEE: Well, you know, Zain, looking at over the past year-and-a-half since the revolution, we've seen -- we've seen multiple embassies being stormed into, not just the American embassy. We've seen the Israeli embassy, we've seen the Syrian embassy.
The Egyptian government has yet to be able to protect embassies from large, angry mobs. And last night just proved once again that the Egyptian security forces are under prepared and overwhelmed when they confront large, angry mobs aiming to go to an embassy and potentially break into an embassy.
VERJEE: Are radical groups getting stronger in Egypt?
LEE: Well, they have definitely be emboldened since the revolution. You can just look at the parliamentary elections that saw a large group of Salafis, ultraconservatives take a large section of the seats in parliament. And looking at the protests yesterday a lot of the people at the protest were radicals, many groups like Islamic Jihad were taking part, other very ultraconservative groups, definitely see that this is their time in Egypt.
VERJEE: Ian Lee reporting from Cairo, thanks Ian.
We want to get some reaction now to these attacks from the Muslim world.
I'm joined by Zuhdi Jasser who is the founder and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy. He joins me live from Phoenix in Arizona. Thank you so much for being with us.
First of all, your reaction to these attacks, both Cairo and Benghazi.
ZUHDI JASSER, FOUNDER, AMERICAN ISLAMIC FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY: Well, I just can't express in strong enough terms how much we condemn these attacks and also not only are they cowardly, but our prayers go out to the families of the victims in our ambassador to Libya.
VERJEE: Some of the reports are suggesting that the trigger was a moving insulting the prophet Mohammed. What is it that a crowd like this can justify by turning this violent? What is it that they believe?
JASSER: Well, there is no justification for this. And I'll tell you, I think -- I hope this wakes up Muslims around the world, and especially American Muslims who have the privilege of living in this liberty and freedom that we have to speak out and marginalize these individuals not just as radicals, but as individuals that utilize religious, spiritual fervor in order to commit acts of violence and chaos.
Now it is turning out we're seeing some of the same old history -- remember, democracy is not like a light switch. People thought this was a spring, when in fact it was simply convulsions in the Middle East away from dictatorship, but the old power structures, the old strong horses of the secular fascists like Gadhafi and the radical Islamist groups like Islamic Jihad, al Qaeda, are continuing to try to dominate and prevent any reform. And they're going to strike at the strongest influence for the free thinkers which are symbols of American leadership and ideas of freedom, which America certainly becomes the collateral damage of that.
But I hope this steels our resolve to act against them if we're going to see a free Middle East in the next generation, we have to continue to help those on the ground in the grass roots to marginalize these theocratic radicals.
VERJEE: How?
JASSER: That's a great question. You know, in the Cold War we realized that we couldn't defeat the Communists with bullets and military and ultimately in Egypt and in Libya and Syria -- I mean, look in Syria, without any help for the good guys on the ground, the liberal Muslim and Christian and Alawite thinkers, the bad guys are winning. The Islamists are radicalizing the community. So the way to do this is through helping NGOs, helping those on the ground that believe in true freedom, individual liberties over the tribe.
And if you listen to the president of Egypt, he clearly is part of the problem. He clearly, as your last story just said, basically is talking about this as a collective insulting Islam versus true reform. I as a devout Muslim who loves my faith, love America, love western freedom because I can practice my faith as I choose. And we'll realize that these so-called insults of the prophet are part of the price of freedom and that we will truly be able to practice when Egypt and Saudi Arabia and other -- and Syrians are able to be free. And we need to help the institutions on the ground build that infrastructure over the next generation and not just overnight.
VERJEE: One of the reports coming out is that the United States is considering moving troops to protect its embassies around the world. Do you think that will deter radical militant extremists in the region or is their ideology more powerful than the guns of the United States?
JASSER: Their ideology is certainly a bigger problem, but I do think that withdrawal and basically turning into non-intervention is not a solution, because again the old institutions of corruption, whether it be theocratic or secular fascism will win out.
So at the end of the day, just as we saw in the surge in Iraq, in Libya and elsewhere and the green (inaudible) violence in Afghanistan, we have to protect our citizens that are there trying to help these societies evolve. And they need our help, but it doesn't have to be through tens of thousands of troops, it needs to be through good, coherent relationships with the governments there so that we can protect them, but also in giving them the assets they need on the ground and not weakening, but actually steeling our resolve as President Obama just said.
VERJEE: The perspective from the moderate Muslim world. Zuhdi Jasser, the founder and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy speaking to us live from Phoenix in Arizona. Thanks a lot.
We're going to have much more ahead on this story. Atika Shubert will bring us a personal look at Ambassador Stevens and what made him stand out among the U.S. diplomatic core. Elise Labott is live at the U.S. State Department with the latest reaction from Washington to the attack and I'll be joined by Nic Robertson to talk about questions about whether these represent a security failure.
Still to come tonight, the EuroZone breaths a sigh of relief as Germany says yes to the creation of a new bailout fund, but on what condition?
And...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEX THOMAS, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Where did you put the trophy last night?
What's your favorite karaoke song?
Who would play you in a movie?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VERJEE: We fire some fast questions at the new U.S. Open champion, Britain's Andy Murray. All that, much more, when Connect the World continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VERJEE: You're watching CNN. And this is Connect the World. I'm Zain Verjee. Welcome back.
Germany has given the go ahead for the creation of a permanent bailout fund for the EuroZone. A German court agreed not to block the European Stability Mechanism, or ESM as it is known.
Now it is a huge relief the chancellor Angela Merkel and other EuroZone members as Richard Quest explains.
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RICHARD QUEST, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The actual decision to approve the bailout fund wasn't a surprise. Frankly if they had voted it down, then the markets would have had some serious disruption. It's the way they phrase the decision that garnered most attention. Yes, Europe can have its bailout fund, but Germany's contribution is capped at 190 billion euros. And the German parliament there needs to have more of a say so if they want to change the rules, increase the amounts or move things around, then the Bundesbank needs to be informed and say yes also.
And so, the stability mechanism moves forward. The EuroZone has a permanent bailout mechanism. And for countries like Spain and Italy, there is something that they can turn to to ask for help if they choose.
Oh yes, and European banking reform, banking union was formally put on the table too. 6,000 banks potentially under one regulator lead by the ECB, the European Central Bank.
Europe is by no means out of the woods in terms of its financial crisis, but what we can say tonight is things like a bit more clear and certainly a bit calmer.
Richard Quest, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: Here's a look now at some of the other stories connecting our world tonight. A garment factory in Pakistan turned into a fiery death trap overnight. At least 289 people were killed when flames swept through this building in Karachi. It was the deadliest industrial fire in Pakistan's history. Many workers reportedly just couldn't even get out, because emergency exits were locked. Some people jumped from windows to escape. Pakistan's prime minister has ordered an investigation.
Striking South African miners appeared to one of the world's biggest platinum mines armed with sticks and machetes, protesters forced Anglo American Platinum to close some of its operations. The South African army had been put on high alert as the former youth leader of the ANC, Julius Malema addressed disgruntled soldiers just outside of Johannesburg. More industrial actions expected at additional mines later this week.
Apple unveiled its new iPhone 5 Wednesday in an event that has tech fans in a frenzy. The latest generation of Apple's popular smart phones is 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than this one, the current iPhone. It also has 4G data connection, making it a lot faster.
So let's join Dan Simon, our tech freak for more on the new iPhone. Dan, I'm looking at the iPhone 4, OK, I mean, tell us about the latest one. Is it worth the fuss? I mean, does it really have a lot over the 4?
DAN SIMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'll tell you this much, when the iPhone 4S, the previous model, when it came out a year ago, people were clamoring for a newly designed model. They wanted an iPhone 5, if you will. And I think that was delivered today. In fact, it is called the iPhone 5.
And I think the biggest difference, Zain, is the screen. It's a half inch taller. This is a four inch diagonal screen versus a 3.5 screen for the previous models. You also talked about the wait. I just had a chance to hold one a few minutes ago and it is noticeably lighter. According to Apple it's 20 percent lighter. And you also talked about some of the other features that's going to run on the faster networks.
And so these are all the things that you would probably expect from Apple when they come out with a new phone. And I suspect I will sell very, very well. Some analysts predicting that they could sell as many as 5 million units in the first three days, which would shatter all the records, Zain.
VERJEE: Dan Simon, thanks so much.
Well, we know it's a lot lighter because this one I have in my hand is so heavy. Thanks so much.
Now, just ahead on Connect the World, the deadliest day in British sport. An apology at last. The reaction next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VERJEE: From slurs to apologies, it's taken 23 years, but now an independent report explaining what really happened at England's Hillsborough Stadium back in 1989 when English football changed forever as CNN's Erin MacLaughlin reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Clearly, the documentary evidence shows that what people understood so far was not the whole story.
ERIN MACLAUGHLIN, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: 23 years later, questions surrounding the deadliest incident in English football history are now answered.
April 15, 1989, what began as a warm, sunny day of sport soon devolved into deadly chaos. 25,000 Liverpool fans traveled to Sheffield for the FA Cup semifinal. Police opened a main gate to relieve a human crush of supporters outside the stadium. Fans rushed into two already crowded standing room only areas. 96 men, women and children died, most of them crushed to death.
The Liverpool fans were immediately blamed for the tragedy. Police and the press accuse them of being drunk and violent. An inquest later found that the police were actually the ones responsible, that they did not enforce proper crowd control. But no one has ever been held accountable. And questions surrounding the tragedy continued to persist.
Margaret Aspinal's son was killed that day.
MARGARET ASPINAL, MOTHER OF VICTIM: I think what the families have been put through for 23 years is absolutely a disgrace. It is a disgrace to the system itself when you think that they knew this 23 years ago a lot of people knew this 23 -- and to put the families through that much pain, heartache, mudslinging...
MACLAUGHLIN: Now an independent panel releases its own findings, the culmination of a two year review of more than 450,000 pages of evidence, much of which was left out of the original inquiries and crucially, an apology from the highest levels of government.
CAMERON: These families have suffered a double injustice: the injustice of the appalling events, the failure of the state to protect their loved ones, and the indefensible wait to get to the truth. And then the injustice of the denigration of the deceased, that they were somehow at fault for their own deaths.
So on behalf of the government, and indeed our country, I am profoundly sorry.
MACLAUGHLIN: The new evidence reveals the possibility that as many as 41 people could have been saved if emergency services had responded more quickly. The safety of the crowd was compromised at every level. The police doctored hundreds of statements in their favor. And police and media wrongly blamed fans.
The report, and the apology, was met with gratitude.
ASPINAL: They've made our city proud today, but most importantly they made them 96 rest in peace for the first time in all them years. So thank you very much.
MACLAUGHLIN: Erin Maclaughlin, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: Kelvin McKenzie is offering his, quote, profuse apologies to the people of Liverpool. Now McKenzie was the editor of Rupert Murdoch's Sun tabloid when it ran a front page story blaming the fans for the disaster.
We're joined now via Skype by Graham Beecroft in Liverpool. He's a well known sports commentator here in the UK. And he was actually there when the disaster unfolded right in front of his eyes.
Graham, do you think that the victims and their families have been vindicated today?
GRAHAM BEECROFT, FREELANCE JOURNALIST: Absolutely, totally vindicated. What we've seen today is the revealing of the massive coverup which your package said, a massive coverup by the Yorkshire police and to try to blame the Liverpool fans for what's happened when the tailored report so many years ago said it was clearly the police's fault, but because of the fact that the inquest gave an accidental death verdict, the fans have been blamed worldwide, nationally for this problem and as they say today, with the backing of the prime minister, they have clearly been vindicated and everybody now knows there was a smear campaign to make those fans responsible for what happened.
VERJEE: What's your reaction to the Sun editor who apologized after more than a generation for running the headline in the Sun that basically blamed the fans?
BEECROFT: Pretty much the same as the comment that was made by Mr. Hicks from the families' campaign. Too little, too late. Kelvin MacKenzie took that story in. He wrote the headline himself, despite protestations from the journalists who wrote the story, he says this is only a claim, you can't say it's the truth.
MacKenzie ignored him, and that headline, the truth, and the story as it -- that was below it, which smeared the Liverpool supporters, said they stole from the dead, and all sorts of other inconceivable things, that stuck. That mud has stuck. And it's only really today that that lie has been proven to be just that.
VERJEE: Sports commentator Graham Beecroft, speaking to us from Liverpool. Thanks so much.
Now that the Hillsborough independent panel has revealed the depth of the cover-up, it's possible that the key figures in the 1989 tragedy could face criminal investigations.
The British prime minister, David Cameron, says the attorney general will study the newly-discovered evidence and could call for a new inquest.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. Stay with us. A lot more after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VERJEE: Hi. A warm welcome to our viewers across Europe and around the world. I'm Zain Verjee. These are the latest world headlines from CNN.
The United States is increasing embassy security around the world after an attack that killed the US ambassador to Libya. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three staff members were killed when a heavily armed mob stormed the consulate building in Benghazi. US sources now say the attack was planned and the demonstration outside the embassy was used as a diversion.
Pakistani officials are investigating the deadliest industrial fire in that country's history. At least 289 people were killed when flames swept through a garment factory in Karachi. Some workers jumped from windows to escape.
Germany's high court has backed the creation of a eurozone bailout fund, the ESM. The court imposed some conditions, including that any increase in Germany's contribution should have the approval of the country's parliament. Chancellor Merkel said it was a good day for Europe.
After 23 years, an apology for Britain's deadly -- deadly Hillsborough disaster. Britain's prime minister says the families of the 96 Liverpool football fans killed during the crush suffered a double injustice. At the time, authorities blamed the tragedy on drunk and violent fans, but an independent panel says the police failed to protect the victims.
US ambassador Chris Stevens is being remembered as a hero who gave his life trying to build a better Libya. President Barack Obama says, "It's especially tragic that he was killed in Benghazi, a city he helped to save." Atika Shubert looks back at his years of service in a region he deeply loved.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS STEVENS, US AMBASSADOR TO LIBYA: My name is Chris Stevens, and I'm the new US ambassador to Libya.
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was a career diplomat, a fluent speaker of Arabic and French, with decades of experience in the Middle East and North Africa. Chris Stevens was appointed in May of this year.
This was his introductory video posted by the US State Department on YouTube.
STEVENS: One of the things that impressed me when I was last in Libya was listening to stories from the people who are old enough to have traveled and studied in the United States, back when we had closer relations. Those days are back.
SHUBERT: He was instrumental in coordinating US and NATO support for Libya's rebel forces that overthrew Muammar Gadhafi last year, and he was widely considered the right man for the right job.
But Tuesday night, he was in the wrong place, caught in a mob attack on the US consulate in Benghazi. Rioters fired rocket-propelled grenades and set the US mission on fire, nearly burning it to the ground.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's especially tragic that Christ Stevens died in Benghazi because it is a city that he helped to save. At the height of the Libyan revolution, Chris led our diplomatic post in Benghazi. With characteristic skill, courage, and resolve, he built partnerships with Libyan revolutionaries and helped them as they planned to build a new Libya.
SHUBERT: In February last year, Benghazi residents flew the American flag as they welcomed NATO to help overthrow Gadhafi's dictatorship. But Libya today is far from stable, and the mob did not see the America that Chris Stevens represented, blinded by their anger.
But this State Department video still on YouTube is now a poignant reminder of his hopes and dreams for both Libya and the country he served.
Atika Shubert, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: On a brief personal note, Chris Stevens was a friend. I met him just a few months ago for the last time here in London. He spoke of his excitement and about his commitment to Libya. Chris was a skilled diplomat and a really wonderful person, so empathetic, gentle, and genuine, with a great sense of humor. To read my tribute, please go to www.facebook.com/CNNconnect.
Our World Affairs reporter Elise Labott also knew Ambassador Stevens well. She's been monitoring developments in Libya from the State Department. Elise, first of all, what are some of the details that you've been hearing about what happened in the consulate compound in Benghazi itself?
ELISE LABOTT, CNN WORLD AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Zain, just details coming out of the State Department. We just had, actually, a call just a few moments ago with a senior administration official talking about a kind of four-hour period in which gunmen stampeded the US consulate, set afire some of the buildings, including one of them that Chris Stevens was in.
Chris Stevens -- Ambassador Stevens seemed to have escaped the building while some of the others were -- he was separated from his security detail and ultimately taken to the hospital by Libyan security forces, where he was pronounced dead, Zain. So, they're still trying to piece together a timeline of what happened, but at the same time, a lot of mourning here at the State Department.
VERJEE: How worried is the State Department that this could happen elsewhere in other embassies around the world and US diplomats are now vulnerable?
LABOTT: Well, I think there's a lot of concern, a lot of talk right now about how to reinforce security at US diplomatic facilities overseas. President Obama, Secretary Clinton talking very strongly about that, and right now, they have withdrawn all the US personnel from Benghazi and right now just emergency level personnel in Tripoli.
VERJEE: Elise, you and I spent quite some time with Chris Stevens when we were in Libya together for quite a few days. He took us around the city, told us so many things about the country that were fascinating, even took us to Sabratha and explained the Roman archaeological ruins there.
On a day like today, when such a significant thing has happened about someone the world respected, what are some of your thoughts about him as a person?
LABOTT: Well, Zain, you know that Chris's infectious -- enthusiasm for Libya was infectious, and when we took that trip to those Roman ruins, when we were the only three people standing in those huge Roman ruins, when we went to these unspoiled beaches of Libya.
And what was Chris talking about? He was talking about, wow, this country has so much potential for tourism, for visitors from all over the world, and he just saw the future of Libya. He saw the potential of the country.
And so, after the fall of the -- he was working with those -- those rebels, and then, when there was no more Muammar Gadhafi, no one can think of anyone else but to be the ambassador, and I'm just thinking right now about how much he loved that country.
I just saw him, as you did, just a short time before he left, and he was talking about how excited he was to get back. And I'll just remember how much he loved his work and how much he was always smiling when he talked about the work that he did on behalf of the US. We're going to miss his goofy grin, Zain.
VERJEE: CNN's foreign affairs correspondent Elise Labott reporting. Thanks, Elise.
Many questions, though, still remaining about the security in place at the time of the consulate attack in Benghazi. Our Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson's following that part of the story. Nic, you have new information and details about what happened in those final moments.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Again, the details are still murky, but they're coming from a senior Libyan source who's well-informed of the investigation that's underway in Benghazi.
It's -- he indicates that when the room filled with smoke and Ambassador Chris Stevens was forced to get out of the room because it was full of smoke, he tried with a security team to get away in a vehicle.
According to this source, that vehicle was then targeted with rocket- propelled grenades and gunfire. It was incapacitated, they got out of that vehicle and went somewhere else to try and hide, and when they were hiding in this other location, believed to be still within the compound there, that's when they were targeted, and that's when the attack really pressed forward.
But we also understand that this was a long and complex attack. And I think it's still too early for us to know with certainty what happened. We're going to hear from many different people, and I think we're going to have to piece it all together.
VERJEE: Are security experts expressing any certainty that it was planned and that al Qaeda was behind it?
ROBERTSON: Well, what we do know -- and let's go with what we know, because we actually don't know precisely who was responsible -- but we do know that when the consulate was attacked on June 5th this year and Ambassador Chris Stevens was there, fliers were left behind by the group that attacked and they said they were attacking because the al Qaeda number two in Afghanistan, Pakistan, a Libyan, Abu Yahua al-Libi, had been killed in a US drone strike.
And they also said that they were targeting because the ambassador was there at that time. So, we also know that al Qaeda has set up camps in Libya. We know that the government has been unable to shut those camps down. We know that the US has been observing those camps with drone aircraft flying overhead.
And we know that yesterday, the first time al Qaeda acknowledged that this Libyan al Qaeda number two was dead. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al Qaeda leader, acknowledged it and he called for Libyan jihadists to attack Americans. So, there appears to be a strong connection.
VERJEE: What are security experts saying about the video that allegedly triggered this?
ROBERTSON: They're concerned, as everyone is, that this could precipitate more attacks and more disturbances as have been witnessed in Cairo and as seen in Benghazi, as well. I think everyone will be on the alert now. Certainly security experts will be on the alert that if -- if there are protests about this video, that they're aware that these could be hijacked by much more aggressive element.
Let's face it, Libyans don't go out and protest normally with rocket- propelled grenades and heavy -- and anti-aircraft machine guns. So, it -- and that's what that protest was about, about the video, so there was something behind it, that's very clear.
VERJEE: CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson. Thanks, Nic.
Coming up after the break on CONNECT THE WORLD, it's pie in the sky as Becky Anderson investigates what goes into making your in-flight meal.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VERJEE: Last year, airline caterer LSG Sky Chefs sent more than 3,000 tons of fruits and vegetables through German airports and up into the air for some in-flight dining. Becky Anderson, who loves eating some great foods, sampled life in the kitchens of Frankfurt Airport. Now there, they make everything from Western staples to the cuisine of the Far East. Here's a taste.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Early morning at Frankfurt Airport, and at the LSG Sky Chef's catering facilities, it's already time for a spicy curry. International chefs work around the clock here to dish out an average of 100,000 meals a day, enough to feed the population of a small city.
MAIK HERODEK, SECTION MANAGER, LSG SKY CHEFS: Good morning, madam.
All our ethnic kitchens, they have original chefs. Maybe I can cook Japanese, but the taste is not the same.
ANDERSON: This is restaurant food cooked on an industrial scale.
HERODEK: All the ingredients are very fresh. You check the temperature, we check the freshness, we check everything, because there's just one chance to deliver good food on a plane.
ANDERSON: While most economy meals are deep-frozen, for business and first class passengers, food is freshly prepared on the day.
ANDERSON (on camera): Most of us have enjoyed the fare in economy or in business class, but this is the first class kitchen, so let's see how the great and the good eat at 30,000 feet. Maik, show me what's going on.
HERODEK: They're preparing the first class fish menu. It's a turbeau (ph) with a parsley crust.
ANDERSON: Turbeau with a parsley crust.
HERODEK: And charred vegetables and tandoori mashed potatoes.
ANDERSON: Sounds fantastic.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Maik has been working in these kitchens for more than 20 years. Catering for passengers in the air takes talent and a keen sense of time.
ANDERSON (on camera): On average, how long does a meal take to prepare here?
HERODEK: It depends on the amount --
ANDERSON: Right.
HERODEK: Around about two hours.
ANDERSON: Right.
HERODEK: And then you have the cooling time, and then you have to dish out, and then the loading, it's around about 12 hours, and then the presentation has to --
ANDERSON: Right, OK. Do things change at 33,000 feet? Taste and --
HERODEK: Yes, the taste, yes.
ANDERSON: Yes?
HERODEK: I found out that I need 20 percent more salt at 10,000 meters' height.
ANDERSON: Really?
HERODEK: Yes. I'm finished.
ANDERSON: Verdict?
HERODEK: It's different.
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: Oh my, that's delicious. Excellent. I call that five star.
HERODEK: Yes?
ANDERSON (voice-over): Feeding passengers with different tastes flying across different time zones. It's a logistical challenge that requires speed, accuracy, and coordination.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERJEE: You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. When we come back, Andy Murray finally gets to catch his breath -- and maybe a nap or two -- after claiming his Grand Slam victory, but there's more to him than just tennis. We'll tell you what he tells Don Riddell, next. This is CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VERJEE: Andy Murray finally has a major trophy to his name after outlasting Novak Djokovic in an epic five-set match Monday in New York. It has been a whirlwind 48 hours for the new US champion -- US Open champion.
Don Riddell has been with him nearly every step of the way, and he joins us now. Don, it was your birthday a few days ago, and what a great gift you got. Murray won, and then you got to interview him.
DON RIDDELL, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you're absolutely right. When I found I was going to be celebrating my birthday in New York, I thought, oh, well, it'd be nice to spend it with friends at home, but if I get to see a fellow Scotsman, Andy Murray, win the US Open, then it will all be worth it.
And it absolutely was. It played out exactly as I would have written the script, and he made it very exciting for us in the end by taking the first two sets, then losing the next two, and finally doing it in an epic five-hour match. It was absolutely brilliant.
He celebrated -- I wouldn't say he celebrated hard, because I know he doesn't drink, but I know that he enjoyed the moment. He only had one hour's sleep by the time that he and I caught up on Tuesday morning.
And we thought we'd try something a little bit different with him, just to kind of see what really makes him tick. So, we didn't do the usual interview. We did a sort of quick-fire thing with him, and this is what we got.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RIDDELL: Andy, what was the first thing that flashed through your mind when you knew you'd won?
ANDY MURRAY, 2012 US OPEN CHAMPION: I just went pretty blank, to be honest. It was probably just -- I was just relieved.
RIDDELL: Where did you put the trophy last night?
MURRAY: We actually don't get to keep it. We get given a replica one, so -- it's been coming around with me today, but I don't get to keep it.
RIDDELL: Did you get any sleep?
MURRAY: Yes. I got one hour.
RIDDELL: On a scale of one to ten, how hard is it to win a Major?
MURRAY: Nine?
RIDDELL: What's your favorite karaoke song?
MURRAY: "Losing My Religion."
RIDDELL: Lendl lost four and then won eight. How many are you going to win?
MURRAY: I would hope more than one, but I know how hard it is to win them, so -- I'll say three.
RIDDELL: Ivan Lendl doesn't smile much in public. Does he in private?
MURRAY: He does, actually. That's all he does pretty much. He jokes and smiles all the time, but I think he's a bit shy in front of the cameras.
RIDDELL: Does he tell jokes?
MURRAY: Yes. None that are safe for TV, though.
(LAUGHTER)
RIDDELL: Do you want to be the world number one or the Wimbledon champion?
MURRAY: Wimbledon champion.
RIDDELL: Who's the greatest player now never to have won a Major?
MURRAY: Marcelo Rios.
RIDDELL: What athletes do you look up to?
MURRAY: Mohammed Ali. Boxing's my favorite sport, and I've watched a lot of videos and read a lot about him. I never got to meet him, but I'd love to get that chance.
RIDDELL: Can you do a Sean Connery impression?
(LAUGHTER)
MURRAY: I can't, no. I can't. Not cool enough for that.
RIDDELL: Who'd play you in a movie?
MURRAY: Oh, I hope Sean Connery would. I'd have to have to someone Scottish playing me, I guess.
RIDDELL: He'd need good makeup to play you.
MURRAY: Yes, exactly.
(LAUGHTER)
RIDDELL: Andy, great to meet you, many congratulations.
MURRAY: Thank you. Thanks a lot.
RIDDELL: Very, very pleased for you.
MURRAY: Thank you.
RIDDELL: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
RIDDELL: Zain, if you don't know, the reason we had to talk about Sean Connery was because Andy met Sean for the first time at the US Open -- of course, a fellow Scot -- and I was in the press conference after the semifinal when Sean Connery just barged in. I've never seen anything like it, but it was an incredible moment.
Sean Connery and Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager who -- both had had a couple of drinks, I believe, who were bold enough to just march in and just take over. It was great.
VERJEE: Well, if Murray -- if Andy Murray wasn't -- they sure were. And those quick-fire questions are difficult. Don, what's your favorite karaoke song? Who would play you in a movie?
RIDDELL: Oh, I -- I don't know, I don't know.
(LAUGHTER)
RIDDELL: Let me get back to you on some of those.
VERJEE: Yes, yes, right. Well done, Andy Murray. Thanks a lot, Don.
I'm Zain Verjee and that was CONNECT THE WORLD. Thanks so much for watching. The world headlines are up next after this short break, so stay with CNN.
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