Obama: Congress must 'fully fund' embassy security

President Obama called on Congress Thursday to "fully fund" his administration's budget request for embassy security. The request came as Obama seeks to get ahead of the controversy over his administration's response to the attack last September in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans.

Obama said he has been working with Democrats and Republicans to obtain the congressional help he says he needs to ensure that foreign outposts are safer.

Obama spoke at the top of a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The State Department is seeking about $1.4 billion for increased security; the money would come primarily from funds that haven't been spent in Iraq. That would include $553 million for 35 more Marine Security Guard units, $130 million for 155 diplomatic security agents and $376 million for security upgrades and construction at new embassies.

Since the attack, Democrats have complained that Republicans cut $300 million from the Obama administration's budget request of $2.6 billion for diplomatic and embassy security in 2012

Obama also said his administration is increasing intelligence and warning capabilities to secure diplomats.