Hillary Clinton faces investigation into 2012 Benghazi attack

Hillary Clinton faced a special investigation of the 2012 attacks on a US diplomatic mission in Libya today, deflecting harsh criticism over her handling over the incident.

At a sometimes heated hearing, Republicans accused the front-runner in the 2016 Democratic presidential race of misinforming the public about the cause of the attack by suspected Islamic militants that killed the US ambassador and three other Americans in Benghazi.

Mrs Clinton was hoping to put the worst episode of her tenure as US secretary of state so that she can continue on her presidential campaign unhindered.

Indeed, some Democrats have criticised the investigation as a ploy to derail Mrs Clinton's White House bid.

She began a long day of questioning by urging the US to maintain its global leadership role despite the threat diplomats face.

She praised the efforts of the four Americans who died in the September 11 2012 attacks, but told the House Benghazi Committee that the deadly events have already been exhaustively scrutinised.

The hearing is expected to last the whole day, with breaks. Mrs Clinton is certain to face questions about her use of a private email account and server while serving as President Barack Obama's chief diplomat, another issue that has beset her campaign.