Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton argued on Monday that U.S. involvement in deposing Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi did not cost any American lives.
“We didn’t lose a single person,” said Clinton at a Democratic townhall event held Sunday evening. ”We didn’t have a problem in supporting our European and Arab allies in working with NATO.”
“Now, is Libya perfect? It isn’t. But they did have two elections that were free and fair where they voted for moderates," Clinton added. "So, you know, changing from a dictator who has hollowed out your country to something resembling a functioning state and even, hopefully, a more democratic one doesn’t happen overnight.”
While Clinton is technically correct in saying the initial U.S. action resulting in Gaddafi's removal and death did not cost any American lives, the former secretary of state made no mention of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that occurred the following year.
Those attacks resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stephens.