WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. forces have captured a militant who is believed to have played a role in a 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans, U.S. officials said on Monday.
The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that U.S. Special Operation Forces captured the militant in Libya in the past few days.
Two of the officials identified him as Mustafa al-Imam and said he had played a role in the attack and the ambassador’s death.
The officials said the man was now in the custody of the Department of Justice and being transported back to the United States by the military.
They added that the operation was authorized by President Donald Trump and had notified the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord.
In a statement, Trump said al-Imam “will face justice in the United States for his alleged role in the September 11, 2012 attacks.”[nW1N1N000Y]
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said al-Imam was now in custody and the United States would continue to investigate and identify those who were involved in the attack.
The appropriate Congressional committees and the families of the Americans killed in the 2012 attack had also been notified, the officials said.
The attack on the embassy was the topic of numerous congressional hearings, with Republican lawmakers critical of the way in which then-secretary of state Hillary Clinton responded to the attack.
Earlier this month, U.S. prosecutors opened their case against the suspected ringleader, Ahmed Abu Khatallah.
Khatallah had been awaiting trial since 2014, when he was captured by a team of U.S. military and FBI officials in Libya and transported on a 13-day journey to the United States aboard a Navy vessel.
Militants have exploited chaos following Muammar Gaddafi’s 2011 downfall.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the U.S. will “spare no effort to ensure that justice is served” to the militants who committed the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.
Tillerson is thanking U.S. military, law enforcement and intelligence officials for the capture of a man they’re describing as a key suspect in the deadly assault on the U.S. outpost. Chris Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans were killed.
Tillerson says he spoke with some family members of the four fallen Americans to “underscore the U.S. government’s unwavering support.”
The official says American special operations forces captured al-Imam in Misrata, on the north coast of Libya.
The official says al-Imam was then taken to a U.S. Navy ship at the Misrata port for transport. He is being taken now to the United States.
The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity.
Yoս mean like when we sing reward songs in Cһurch??
Larry requested and ⅾaddy nodded. ?Nicеly I can make uup a worship song.?
So Larry jumped to his feet and began to make up a song to a very dɑngerous tune.
?Jesus is so cool. Its fun being with Ԍod. Hes the funnest
God anybody could haѵe.? Larry sang very badly
so ᒪee hhad putt his fingers over his ears.