Chris Stevens Mourned as 'Right Man in Right Place'

Diplomat's death 'one of the saddest days of my life,' says Libya counterpart
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 13, 2012 9:07 AM CDT
Chris Stevens Mourned as 'Right Man in Right Place'
Hillary Rodham Clinton listens as President Barack Obama speaks on the death of US ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at the White House.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

In the wake of the Libya attack that killed US Ambassador Christopher Stevens, colleagues and officials are remembering those who died:

  • "This is one of the saddest days in my life," says Stevens' Libyan counterpart, ambassador to the US Ali Suleiman Aujali. "He was the man who stood by the Libyan people. He was the right man, in the right place, at the right time." He believes his country will bring the perpetrators to justice, CNN reports.

  • A passionate diplomat, Stevens aimed to aid the post-Gadhafi transition in Libya. “It was his life,” says a friend. “He was just someone who really had his heart in this, and he really felt like he was making relationships and headway.” Stevens, a California native, had "the kind of courage and talent and leadership that would inspire another generation of American diplomats," a State department official tells the Washington Post. "We will miss him deeply but long remember his example."
  • An interesting footnote on another of those killed, information management officer Sean Smith: He was a passionate player of video game EVE Online, in which he took a leading role as "Vile Rat." Players of the game were aware of his fate even before the media, notes the Hollywood Reporter: Smith had messaged a fellow gamer about the danger.
(More Libya stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X