US violated sovereignty with Benghazi suspect capture: Libya

A photo taken on September 11, 2012 shows an armed man waving his rifle as buildings and cars are engulfed in flames after being set on fire inside the US consulate compound in Benghazi. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • Four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed when gunmen stormed the US consulate on September 11, 2012
  • The attack shocked Washington and became a highly charged political issue

TRIPOLI

US commandos violated Libya's sovereignty when they seized the suspected ringleader of a deadly 2012 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Special forces carried out Sunday's stealth operation under cover of night, capturing Ahmed Abu Khatallah near Benghazi and spiriting him out of the country.

"The government condemns this regrettable infringement on Libya's sovereignty," foreign ministry spokesman Said Lassoued said in a statement, adding that Tripoli had not been informed in advance.

In announcing the operation, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby would not say whether Washington gave Libya advance notice.

Also on Wednesday, Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani told a news conference that there is already an outstanding arrest warrant for Abu Khatallah.

But he said Libyan security forces had not been able to arrest him because of the security situation in the flashpoint eastern city of Benghazi.

Lassoued underlined in his statement "Libya's right to judge Abu Khattalah on its soil in conformity with its law, and asks the American government to return him to Libya."

Four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed when gunmen stormed the US consulate on September 11, 2012 and set it on fire. A CIA outpost was also targeted.

HIGHLY CHARGED ISSUE

The attack shocked Washington and became a highly charged political issue, raising questions about security at US missions. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton faced hostile questioning before lawmakers over the issue.

Republicans alleged that the White House failed to respond decisively and then tried to hide some facts in the grisly episode.

The Obama administration has accused critics of politicising a tragic event and says it has divulged all the details of the case.

US federal prosecutors have charged Abu Khatallah with murder, carrying a weapon and offering material support to "terrorism," according to an indictment.

The first charge potentially carries the death penalty.

The charges reflect accounts from Libyan officials and witnesses who have singled out Abu Khatallah as allegedly taking part in the assault that day.

The State Department had identified Abu Khatallah as a senior leader of Ansar al-Sharia, a Libyan Islamist group it brands a "terrorist" organisation responsible for a spate of attacks and assassinations.