The fall of regimes in North Africa led to a state of confusion and lack of security that increased militants' activites and their level of armament, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, adding that the Arab Spring allowed inexperienced leaders to gain power.
During a congressional hearing Wednesday, Clinton said the attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi took place because the uprisings had led to confusion and caused security forces to become scattered.
She said Mali became a haven for terrorists who want to expand their sphere of influence and carry out attacks similar to the one occurred in Algeria last week.
Clinton stressed that confronting terrorism and instability is at the top of the US national security team's priorities.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
