Libya Wants Answers over Raid by US Commandos


Libya Wants Answers over Raid by US Commandos

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Libya called for an explanation after the US snatched a man it alleges is an al-Qaeda leader during a raid in Tripoli.

Ali Zeidan, Libya's prime minister, suggested on Sunday that his government was not informed of the plan before US commandos seized Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai, known by his alias Anas al-Liby, in the Libyan capital on Saturday.

"The Libyan government is following the news of the kidnapping of a Libyan citizen who is wanted by US authorities," Zeidan said in a statement.

"The Libyan government has contacted to US authorities to ask them to provide an explanation."

Liby is wanted by the US for his alleged role in the East Africa embassy bombings that killed 224 people in 1998. The US had offered $5m for information leading to his capture.

US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel praised the US military on Sunday saying that the raid underlined the precision, global reach and capabilities of the US forces.

George Little, a spokesman for the US Defence Department, said that Liby was being "lawfully detained by the US military in a secure location outside of Libya".

Al Jazeera reported that even though the US had said that Liby would be interrogated where he is being held before he is brought to justice, it is unclear whether he will be brought to justice in a US courtroom or a miltary tribunal.

Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tripoli, quoted Liby's wife as saying that he was seized as he headed to morning prayer by eight to 10 masked men.

 

 

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