Al-Qaeda ally suspect in Algeria attack
2013-01-22 22:46
Washington - The Pentagon on Tuesday stopped short of
saying al-Qaeda's North Africa affiliate is definitely to blame for the deadly
Algeria terrorist attack, but it said there is good reason to believe the group
had a leading role.
"When it comes to terrorist attacks of this sort in
North Africa, AQIM has to be at the top of the list of suspects, I'll put it
that way," said Pentagon press secretary George Little, referring to
al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
The White House said the Obama administration is working
with the Algerian government to learn more about what happened and did not echo
concerns expressed by the British defence minister over the Algerian
government's collaboration.
"We cannot lose sight of the fact that the blame for
this lies with the terrorists," said White House press secretary Jay
Carney.
Little told reporters there are "strong indications
that AQIM, "had a hand" in the assault on an Algerian natural gas
plant that left dozens of hostages and militants dead, but he would not be more
specific.
"AQIM does what terrorist groups do - they plan and
carry out attacks. I'll leave it at that," he said.
The State Department has said three US citizens were
killed in last week's hostage standoff, while seven Americans made it out
safely.
The State Department has not definitively declared that
AQIM was responsible for the attack, but it has suggested the group played a
leading role.
Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has blamed the broader
al-Qaeda network.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week
described a "continuing effort by the terrorists, whether they call
themselves one name or al-Qaeda, to try to destroy the stability, the peace and
security, of the people of this region".
- AP
