Newt Gingrich defended a statement released by the Romney campaign late Tuesday night that accused President Obama of sympathizing "with those who waged the attacks," in an interview Wednesday morning on CNN.

Romney's condemnation was pegged to a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo before protests broke out. But Gingrich defended Romney's attack.

"Gov. Romney's statement is pretty clear," Gingrich said. "If Gov. Romney were president he would be enraged at the Egyptians for tolerating the attack on the embassy. He would be offended at the Libyans for allowing -- both countries have an obligation to protect our embassies."

CNN anchors reminded Gingrich that the statement Romney was condemning came out before any protests began.