Obama vows to 'stand fast' against violence targeting American missions

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama vowed on Friday to "stand fast" against the recent wave of violence targeting American diplomatic missions, triggered by an American film that insults Prophet Mohammed and infuriated the Muslim communities worldwide.

Addressing a somber homecoming ceremony held at the Andrews Air Force Base near Washington D.C. for the remains of four Americans killed on Tuesday night in the Libyan city of Benghazi, the solemn- faced president said: "Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. We will bring to justice those who took them from us."

"We will stand fast against the violence on our diplomatic missions," he added, pledging to "continue to do everything in our power" to protect Americans serving overseas.

Obama sent a letter to Congress leaders on Friday, saying that U.S. security forces sent to Libya and Yemen will remain there " until the security situation becomes such that they are no longer needed."

The four victims -- U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, a State Department officer and two former Navy SEALs serving as consulate security guards -- died in the Benghazi attack after hundreds of angry protesters broke into and set ablaze the U.S. consulate building there.

As anti-American protests continue in a dozen countries, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it has been "a difficult week" for her department and the country.

"The people of Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Tunisia did not trade the tyranny of a dictator for the tyranny of a mob," she said at the ceremony. "Reasonable people and responsible leaders in these countries need to do everything they can to restore security and hold accountable those behind these violent acts."

"There will be more difficult days ahead, but it is important that we don't lose sight of the fundamental fact that America must keep leading the world," she added.(PNA/Xinhua)