Diplomatic security in Libya was drawn down ahead of last month’s fatal attack on the US mission in Benghazi and US officials did not have enough protection, the former head of a US security team in Libya told a Congressional committee.

“The security in Benghazi was a struggle and remained a struggle throughout my time there … Diplomatic security remained weak,” Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Wood told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Another former US security officer in Libya, Eric Nordstrom said he had never seen an attack “of such ferocity and intensity” during his career, but made clear diplomats could not work effectively in an environment where total security was the primary objective.

“We must remember that it is critical that we balance our risk mitigation efforts with the needs of our diplomats to do their jobs. The answer cannot be to operate from a bunker”, said Mr Nordstrom.

The panel is examining security at the US mission in Benghazi ahead of the September 11 attack that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

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Republican charges that the United States was caught unprepared for the assault has put the administration of President Barack Obama on the defensive in the run-up to the presidential election on November 6.

The State Department has defended security procedures in Libya and convened its own review board.