Al-Qaeda says U.S. consulate attack was revenge

Yemeni based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said the U.S. consulate attack in Libya was in revenge for the killing of al-Qaeda mastermind Sheikh Abu Yahya.

A statement by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula described the U.S. consulate attack in Libya last week as revenge for the killing of al-Qaeda mastermind Sheikh Abu Yahya al-Libi. The statement said: "The killing of Sheikh Abu Yahya only increased the enthusiasm and determination of the sons of (Libyan independence hero) Omar al-Mokhtar to take revenge upon those who attack our Prophet." (The Nation) The statement went on to say: “The uprising of our people in Libya, Egypt and Yemen against America and its embassies is a sign to notify the United States that its war is not directed against groups and organisations ... but against the Islamic nation that has rebelled against injustice.”On Sept. 11 al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri released a video confirming the death of Yahya on June 4, as a result of a drone attack in Pakistan's Waziristan tribal area. Authorities in Libya have arrested 50 people in connection with the consulate attack. Digital Journal reported Libyan President Mohamed al-Magarief said he thought the attack was the work of al-Qaeda. He believes the attack was pre-planned and the controversy over the film that has sparked protests was used as a cover for a revenge attack. According to Al Arabiya Magarief has now said the attack was the work of "foreigners" who entered Libya several months ago.