Suspect In Benghazi Terror Attack Was Captured In Libya

AP: Ahmed Abu Khattala Was Captured And Will Be Tried In The U.S. In Relation To Attack On Benghazi Compound. According to a June 17 Associated Press article, a suspect in the attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi was captured and “is being held in an undisclosed location outside of Libya.” [AP, 6/17/14]

Fox Host Claims Obama Hasn't Called Benghazi An Attack Of Terrorism, Suspect A Terrorist

Fox's Kennedy: U.S. Is Not Calling Abu Khattala “An Alleged Terror Suspect.” On the June 17 edition of Fox News' Outnumbered, Fox Business host Kennedy claimed the Obama administration has been hesitant to call the Benghazi attack a terrorist attack and claimed the United States was not calling Abu Khattala “a terrorist”:

KENNEDY: But also you have the former secretary of state, who's in the middle of a really high profile book tour, and I think this is convenient for her to shift the talking points from some of the things that she's been discussing. The other thing that I find really curious: The president has been very careful from the beginning not to label this a terrorist attack, for whatever reason, and I think that is politically motivated, but we're not calling him an alleged terror suspect. We're not calling him a terrorist. And in the war on terror, you know, obviously, he's not necessarily held as a criminal. He can be a criminal combatant. [Fox News, Outnumbered, 6/17/14]

Obama, Kerry Statements On Capture Link Abu Khattala To Terrorism

President Announces Abu Khattala Was Detained And Charged For His Role In Terrorist Attack. Obama said that he had “authorized an operation in Libya to detain an individual charged for his role in these attacks, Ahmed Abu Khatallah.” Obama added:

With this operation, the United States has once again demonstrated that we will do whatever it takes to see that justice is done when people harm Americans. We will continue our efforts to bring to justice those who were responsible for the Benghazi attacks. We will remain vigilant against all acts of terrorism, and we will continue to prioritize the protection of our service-members and civilians overseas. We will also sustain our support for the Libyan people, as they work to overcome years of tyranny and do the difficult work of building a democracy. [WhiteHouse.gov, 6/17/14, emphasis added]

Sec. Of State Kerry: Mission Of “Bringing To Justice The Terrorist Murderers” Took A Dramatic Step Forward With Arrest Of Khattala. Secretary of State John Kerry stated in response to the capture of Ahmed Abu Khattala that the mission of “bringing to justice the terrorist murderers responsible for the attacks in Benghazi ... took a dramatic step forward” with the capture of Ahmed Abu Khattala:

Since September 11, 2012, we have mourned the four Americans killed that day, cared for the survivors in our State Department family, and focused with intensity on strengthening security at our high-threat posts around the world. But we have also been focused on another mission of unfinished business: bringing to justice the terrorist murderers responsible for the attacks in Benghazi.

This weekend, that work took a dramatic step forward. Ahmed Abu Khatallah, an alleged key leader of the attacks in Benghazi, is now in U.S. custody. He will face a court of law and be held accountable for his actions. This bold action by the superb United States military is a clear reminder to anyone who dares do us harm that they will not escape with impunity. [State.gov, 6/17/14]

Obama Called Benghazi Attack An Act Of Terror From The Beginning

Obama Linked Benghazi Attack To Terror In First Speech After Attack. In a speech in the Rose Garden on September 12, 2012 discussing the Benghazi attack, Obama said “no acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for.” [WhiteHouse.gov, 9/12/12]

Obama Called Attack An Act Of Terror In Two Subsequent Speeches. Obama called the Benghazi attack an “act of terror” during a speech on September 12, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and again in a speech in Golden, Colorado, on September 13, 2012. [WhiteHouse.gov, 9/12/12 and 9/13/12]

State Department Labeled Abu Khattala A Terrorist In January

State Department: Abu Khattala Is A “Specially Designated Global Terrorist.” According to a January 10 press release, the State Department designated three Ansar al-Shari'a organizations as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” and their leaders, including Abu Khattala, as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists”:

The Department of State has announced the designations of Ansar al-Shari'a in Benghazi, Ansar al-Shari'a in Darnah, and Ansar al-Shari'a in Tunisia as separate Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and as Specially Designated Global Terrorist entities under section 1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224. In addition to these group designations, the Department of State has also designated Ahmed Abu Khattalah, Sufian bin Qumu, and Seifallah Ben Hassine, commonly known as “Abou Iyadh,” as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under E.O. 13224. The consequences of the FTO and E.O. 13224 designations include a prohibition against knowingly providing, or attempting or conspiring to provide, material support or resources to, or engaging in transactions with these organizations, and the freezing of all property and interests in property of the organization and individuals that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the control of U.S. persons. The Department of State took these actions in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury. [State.gov, 1/10/14]