"Everyone, particularly the intelligence community, has worked in good faith to provide the best assessment based on the information available," Rice said.
"You know the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the State Department's accountability review board are conducting investigations as we speak and they will look into all aspects of this heinous terrorist attack to provide what will become the definitive accounting of what occurred."
"I knew Chris Stevens. I worked closely with him and had the privilege of doing so," Rice said. "He was a valued colleague and his loss and that of his three colleagues is a massive tragedy for those of us who serve in the U.S. government and for all the American people."
But, when asked about McCain's criticism, Rice replied, "I have great respect for Senator McCain and his service to our country. I always have and I always will."
"I do think that some of the statements he has made about me were unfounded, but I look forward to having the opportunity at the appropriate time to discuss all of this with him," the ambassador said.
Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama defended Rice at a press conference, saying that if McCain and others "want to go after someone they should go after me."
Obama added, "When they go after the UN Ambassador apparently because they think she's an easy target then they've got a problem with me."
Congressional hearings into the administration's handling of the Benghazi attacks were expected to continue next week.
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