Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has faced a tense interrogation at a hearing on a deadly 2012 attack in Libya.

The attack on the US diplomatic compound in the capital of Benghazi, resulted in the death of US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

This week, the House Select Committee grilled Clinton on her conduct in the wake of the attack.

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Republican members questioned her on correspondence with the Egyptian Prime Minister one day after the incident, which was dubbed the Battle of Benghazi, and an email sent to her daughter.

Jim Jordan quoted Clinton as having told the president, “we know the attack in Libya had nothing to do with the film. It was a planned attack – not a protest.”

The US consulate building was severely damaged in an attack on the building late on September 11. Photo: Getty

In an email to her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, Hillary is said to have written: “Two of our officers were killed in Benghazi by an al Qaeda-like group. The Ambassador, whom I handpicked and a young communications officer on temporary duty w (sic) a wife and two young children. Very hard day and I fear more of the same tomorrow.”

This was significant as it was new evidence, ABC News reported, and indicated there was prior knowledge of the attack.

It opposed claims released by the US Administration a week after the September 11, 2012 attack that “claimed it was motivated by an anti-Islam video”.

“When I was speaking to the Egyptian Prime Minister or in the other two examples you showed, we had been told by Ansar al-Sharia [a militia group] that they took credit for it.

“It wasn’t until about 24 more hours later that they retracted taking credit for it,” Clinton responded.

Illinois representative Peter Roskam did not accept Clinton’s repeated statements that although she accepted responsibility for the attack, ground staff made security arrangements, CNN reported.

“I have heard one dismissive thing after another. What did you do? What did you own?” he said.

“You laid this on Chris Stevens, didn’t you? They didn’t get through to you. They didn’t get through to your inner circle.”

But Clinton challenged the repeated Republican attacks.

“I would imagine I have thought more about what happened than all of you put together,” she said.

“I have lost more sleep than all of you put together. I have been wracking my brain about what more could have been done or should have been done.”