Petraeus Testifies, Lawmakers Talk Fiscal Cliff

In this photo from February 2012, then-CIA Director David Petraeus testifies before the House Intelligence Committee. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Ex-CIA Director David Petraeus told lawmakers during private hearings Friday that he believed all along that the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya was a terrorist strike, even though that wasn’t how the Obama administration initially described it publicly.

After the House hearing, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said it’s still not clear how the final talking points emerged that were used by U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice five days after the attack when the White House sent her to appear in a series of television interviews. Rice said it appeared the attack was sparked by a spontaneous protest over an anti-Muslim video.

Meantime, President Obama appealed to key lawmakers to compromise and cooperate on the “urgent business” of avoiding the so-called fiscal cliff. He spoke as he convened congressional leaders Friday at the White House for an opening round of deficit talks – their first meeting since the election.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

• CNN: Ex-CIA chief Petraeus testifies Benghazi attack was al Qaeda terrorism
• ABC News: Cliffhanger: Congressional Leaders Gather At The White House

Guest:

• Rick Klein, Senior Washington Editor For ABC News. He tweets @rickklein.