Clinton takes blame for Libya attack

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton answered Republican criticism of the Obama administration's handling of last month's attack at the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, saying she - not the White House - is responsible for security at all of America's diplomatic missions.

"I take responsibility," Clinton told CNN. "I'm in charge of the State Department's 60,000-plus people all over the world (at) 275 posts."

With only weeks before the presidential election, outrage has crystallized around Vice-President Joe Biden's claim in last week's debate with Republican vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan that "we weren't told" about requests for extra security at the consulate where assailants killed Chris Stevens, US ambassador, and three other US citizens.