U.S. intelligence officials are offering a new timeline detailing the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya, saying CIA security officers went to the aid of State Department staff less than 25 minutes after they got the first call for help.
They say the team tried to get heavy weapons and other assistance from the Libyans, but when none was available left anyway. They say that at no point was the team told to delay or stand down.
The timeline was offered to rebut news reports that U.S. officials told rescuers to wait.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide intelligence information.
The officials said early information that the attackers had ties to al-Qaida linked groups was not made public immediately because it was based on classified intelligence.
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