The White House says the deadly attack by armed forces against the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi was clearly an act of terrorism.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday that “it is self-evident that what happened in Benghazi was a terrorist attack.”

His remarks reaffirm that last week’s attack was not accidental and instead meticulously planned. U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other American officials were killed in the assault.

A week ago, Carney said during a news briefing that there was no information that the attack against the U.S. Consulate was premeditated.

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