Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has captured a key Libyan insurgent. Officials said the U.S. military nabbed the commander of the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi in September 2012.

The suspect was identified as Ahmed Abu Khatallah, captured in Libya and taken to secure location outside of the North African country.

“This team of professionals acted with extraordinary skill, courage and
precision, successfully carrying out a dangerous and complex capture
operation resulting in no casualties,” U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman
Gen. Martin Dempsey said on June 17.

Few details were given of the capture of Abu Khatallah, identified as
commander of the Abu Obaida Bin Jarrah Brigade. Officials said the U.S.
force that seized Abu Khatallah, who for more than a year lived openly in
Benghazi, did not sustain casualties and left Libya.

Four people, including U.S. ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed
in the attack on the consulate in Benghazi. After months of denial, the
administration of President Barack Obama acknowledged that the attack was
linked to Al Qaida-aligned militias in eastern Libya.

Officials said Washington worked with Tripoli to track and capture Abu
Khatallah, also linked to Al Qaida’s Ansar Al Shariah. They said Abu
Khatallah played a leading role in the storming of the U.S. consulate, which
included at least 100 attackers.

“We will continue our efforts to bring to justice those who were
responsible for the Benghazi attacks,” Obama said.

  Abu Obaida Bin Jarrah Brigade, Ahmed Abu Khatallah, Ansar Al Shariah, U.S. commandos capture alleged mastermind of 2012 Benghazi attack