Benghazi Attack: US Forces Capture Suspect

US forces have captured a suspected ringleader of the 2012 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, says the Pentagon.

Ahmed Abu Khattala was snatched on the outskirts of Benghazi in a secret raid by American troops, working alongside the FBI, at the weekend.

He is the first alleged perpetrator apprehended in connection with the September 11, 2012 assault on the US diplomatic compound that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Defence Department Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said that Khatalla had been seized on Sunday. 

"He is in US custody in a secure location outside of Libya," said the statement. "There were no civilian casualties related to this operation, and all US personnel involved in the operation have safely departed Libya."

Fox News, which broke the story, reports that Khattala is en route back to the US on board a US Navy ship.

Libyan authorities said early on that Khattala had led the assault as a commander of Ansar al-Shariah, a Benghazi-based Islamist group.

But in media interviews shortly after the attack, Khattala has denied membership of the group or involvement in the attack.

The assault became a flashpoint in the 2012 US presidential campaign, amid conservative allegations that the White House had sought to play down the incident in order to avoid any backlash from voters.

Last month, Republicans launched a congressional committee to investigate Benghazi.

Potential 2016 White House candidate Hillary Clinton, who was Secretary of State at the time of the assault, is likely to face questions on the matter during an interview with Fox News to be screened on Tuesday night.

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