Leading al-Qaeda operative Nazih Abdul Hamed al-Ruqai AKA Abu Anas al-Libi, wanted for his role in the 1998 African embassy bombings, was reportedly captured Oct. 5 by US forces in Tripoli, Libya. Al-Libi was apparently apprehended by US troops assisted by agents from the FBI and CIA. According to a federal indictment filed during the Clinton administration, al-Libi “conducted visual and photographic surveillance of the United States Embassy in Nairobi” in 1993. His apartment in the UK was raided after the embassy bombings, where authorities found a copy of a manual entitled, “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants.” In September 2012, he was reported to be living freely in Tripoli. (Long War Journal, Oct. 5)
Note: Al-Libi is apparently a very popular name for al-Qaeda militants.
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US showdown with Tripoli over al-Libi
Abu Anas al-Libi is being interrogated on a US warship in international waters in the Mediterranean—apparently to get around US against the use of torture before his turned over to federal authoriites to face trial in New York City. Libya Prime Minister Ali Zeidan is protesting the capture and calling for al-Libi to be tried in Libya. “We emphasize that Libyan citizens should be judged in Libya and Libya does not surrender its sons,” Zeidan saiid, adding that his government is examining “different legal options to solve this problem in a wise and reasonable manner taking into account Libyans’ rights and preserving relations.” (CBS)
Was Libyan PM kidnapped or ‘arrested’?
A Libyan security chief accused of involvement in Prime Minister Ali Zeidan’s abduction 10 days ago on Oct. 20 took responsibility for what he called the “arrest.” Gunmen seized Zeidan from a Tripoli hotel on Oct. 10; hours later he was released and appeared on TV to accuse Islamist politicians of being behind the attempted “coup.” At their own press conference this weekend, Islamist lawmakers denied involvement, joined by Abdelmonem Essid, the head of an interior ministry anti-crime unit, who told journalists: “It was me who arrested Ali Zeidan, and I’m proud of it,” in Tripoli. (AFP, Oct. 21)
US embassy bombing suspect dies in hospital
Alleged al-Qaeda operative Abu Anas al Libi, accused of involvement in the bombings of US embassies in Africa, died in a US hospital Jan. 2. Al Libi was captured by US military special forces in Libya in 2013 and brought to the US to stand trial. The Department of Justice confirmed his death citing "long-standing medical problems." US authorities alleged that al-Libi played a significant role in planning and executing the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which left more than 200 dead and 1,000 injured. (Jurist)