US officials say attack in Libya may have been planned

The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is seen in flames during a protest by an armed group said to have been protesting a film being produced in the United States September 11, 2012

 Officials within the Obama administration have reportedly said the deadly attack on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi, which killed ambassador Chris Stevens, was planned in advance.

­Both the New York Times and CNN are quoting sources within the administration as saying the attack on the consulate was planned.

CNN's source claimed "Tuesday's attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was planned in advance, and the attackers used the protest outside the consulate as a diversion".

Some media reports have also suggested 'Innocence of Muslims', the scandalous film that many blame for sparking the protest, was used as a pretext for the attacks on US embassies in Libya and Cairo.

Senior US officials also told CNN that unmanned surveillance drones are expected to begin flying over Benghazai and other locations in eastern Libya to look for jihadi encampments and targets that may be tied to the deadly attack on American personnel.