State Department Regional Security Officer Eric Nordstrom admitted at today’s Oversight Committee hearing that there were, in fact, five Diplomatic Security agents in Benghazi on the day of the attack, contrary to earlier reports.

In addition, despite Nordstrom’s earlier statements to the Committee that his July cable requested five agents, a copy of the cable obtained by the Committee shows that the cable actually requested only four agents, with a minimum of three. The text of the cable reads:

“Post anticipates supporting operations in Benghazi with at least 1 permanently assigned RSO employee from Tripoli, however, would request continued TDY support to fill a minimum of 3 security positions in Benghazi.”

Ambassador Kennedy also confirmed that there were in fact five agents in Benghazi on the day of the attack, as well as three armed Libyan security officers inside the compound.