Libyan militant captured for Benghazi attack
WASHINGTON (KABC) -- A Libyan militant accused in the Benghazi attack on September 11, 2012, has been captured and is in U.S. custody, officials confirmed.
Ahmed Abu Khatallah has been taken to a secure location outside of Libya, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement. The suspect is a senior leader of the Benghazi branch of the terror group Ansar al-Sharia in Libya, and he is believed to be the mastermind behind the attack.
President Barack Obama said the suspect will face the full weight of the American justice system, adding that the U.S. will continue to track down those responsible for the attacks.
"When Americans are attacked, no matter how long it takes, we will find those responsible, and we will bring them to justice," Mr. Obama said.
Khatallah, a "key figure in the attacks," was captured alive on Sunday during a raid carried out by special forces and the FBI.
"There were no civilian casualties related to this operation, and all U.S. personnel involved in the operation have safely departed Libya," Kirby said.
U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the on the consulate.
"Our nation's memory is long and our reach is far. The arrest of Ahmed Abu Khatallah represents a significant milestone in our efforts to ensure justice is served for the heinous and cowardly attack on our facilities in Benghazi," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.
Authorities say Khatallah is currently aboard a Navy ship in the Mediterranean, a U.S. official told ABC News. A special team of U.S. interrogators are questioning him, and he will eventually be tried in federal court.
According to a three-count indictment, Khatallah faces charges of providing, attempting and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists that resulted in death; discharging, brandishing, using, carrying and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence; and killing a person in the course of an attack on a federal facility and conspiring to do so. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
