US 'did not have adequate intelligence on Libya'

The US military did not intervene quickly during the attack on America's consulate in Libya because military leaders did not have adequate intelligence information and felt they should not put their forces at risk, defence secretary Leon Panetta said.

In his most extensive comments to date on the unfolding controversy surrounding the attack in Benghazi, Mr Panetta said US forces were on heightened alert because of the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks and prepared to respond.