Officials: Benghazi attackers of U.S. consulate have fled to Egypt
Special to WorldTribune.com
CAIRO — Libya has determined that Al Qaida-aligned fighters who
attacked the U.S. consulate have fled to Egypt.
Officials said the Libyan military has identified 50 people alleged to
have attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. They said most escaped
Benghazi and were believed to have fled to neighboring Egypt.
An armed man waves his rifle as buildings and cars are engulfed in flames after being set on fire inside the U.S. consulate compound in Benghazi on Sept. 11. /STR/AFP/Getty Images
“Four have been arrested,” Libyan Supreme Security Committee spokesman Abdul Muneim Al Hurr said. “Some of the others may have escaped via Benghazi airport, maybe to Egypt, but this not confirmed.”
In a statement on Sept. 15, Al Hurr said the identities of the suspected
attackers were relayed to Libyan border authorities. He said the four
detainees were being interrogated on the Sept. 11 attack in which four U.S. diplomats were killed, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.
“We know of 50 people who were involved in the attack,” Al Hurr said. “We have names and we know who they are. But there could be more.”
Libya has asserted that the Sept. 11 attack was planned by Al
Qaida-inspired militias.
The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has refused to confirm
the Libyan assertion. The administration has repeatedly blamed the attack on
a spontaneous response to a film on the life of Islam’s founder.
“Based on the information we initially had available, and have
available, we do not have any indication at this point of premeditation, or
preplanned attacks,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. “But it is under
investigation.”
