Obama Called Congressional Leaders to Discuss Mideast Violence

President Barack Obama called Congressional leaders to brief them on embassy security in the wake of violence in the Middle East that has erupted because of a film insulting to Islam.

White House press secretary Jay Carner told reporters that Obama, by telephone today from Air Force One, briefed House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a California Democratic; Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat; and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican.

Obama updated the leaders on measures to enhance security at U.S. embassies and facilities in the region. He also thanked them and members of Congress for the support they’ve shown for the State Department and the diplomatic corps, Carney said. They also discussed progress on a so-called continuing resolution before Congress to fund the government, he said.

Anti-U.S. Demonstrations have erupted in Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Attackers in Yemen fired rockets and set ablaze a U.S. diplomatic compound, killing the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans there.

To contact the reporter on this story: Julianna Goldman in Washington at jgoldman6@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Steven Komarow at skomarow1@bloomberg.net