US 'heartbroken' as official killed in Libya mission

WASHINGTON (AFP) - United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirmed late on Tuesday that a State Department official had been killed in an attack on America's consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi.

"We are heartbroken by this terrible loss," Mrs Clinton said in a statement, adding that Washington was working with countries around the world to protect its missions after twin attacks in Libya and the Egyptian capital of Cairo.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack," Mrs Clinton added in her statement.

The attack in Benghazi came after protesters earlier in the day stormed the US embassy in Cairo, scaling the walls and tearing down the US flag, on the somber 11th anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks on the United States.