terrorism. james rosen with the news from the state department tonight. lawmakers were briefed earlier today? >> they did. the contents of that closed door briefing remain classified. secretary of state clinton had little to say to reporters as she left the briefing. but the top democrat on the house intelligence committeeed news that we learned today that president obama, sometime in the last two to three weeks signed a secret order known as finding that authorizes covert operation in libya. >> first thing i'm not going to discuss any covert action. and anything aware of what obama did or did not sign. buy will say again that intelligence is the best defense against terrorism and we in the united states it's to our advantage to collect and analyze intelligence 24/7. >> a bit of housekeeping here, shep. in washington's reading of things, cia agents on the ground in libya would not count as boots on the ground in libya.