Anonymous intelligence officials told The Daily Beast today that U.S. agencies had identified four al Qaeda–affiliated jihadis who attacked the consulate in Benghazi within 24 hours.   One the terrorists was precisely located after his use of social media.

Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, was quoted as saying, “There was very good information on this in the first 24 hours. These guys have a return address.”

The Daily Beast reported last week that there was an intercepted message between a Libyan politician and the “February 17 Militia” which provided security for the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.   Other reports indicate members of Ansar al-Sharia, an al Qaeda–affiliated group operating in and around Benghazi, were attempting to coerce, threaten, cajole, and bribe members of the militia protecting the consulate.