http://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-live/2012/09/libyan-president-no-doubt-consulate-attack-preplanned-135664.htmlLibyan president: 'No doubt' attack 'preplanned'
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Comments (198) By KEVIN CIRILLI | 9/16/12 9:16 AM EDT
Libya President Mohamed Yousef El-Magariaf said Sunday that 50 arrests have been made in connection with last week's "preplanned" attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that left U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead.
"The way these perpetrators acted and moved -- I think we, and they're choosing the specific date for this so-called demonstration, I think we have no, this leaves us with no doubt that this was pre-planned, determined," Magariaf said on CBS's "Face the Nation."
"And you believe that this was the work of Al Qaeda, and you believe that it was led by foreigners. Is that what you’re telling us?" CBS host Bob Schieffer asked.
"It was planned, definitely. It was planned by foreigners, by people who entered the country a few months ago. And they were planning this criminal act since their arrival," Magariaf said.
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Magariaf said that more than 50 arrests have been made with some suspects from Mali and Algeria.
"They entered Libya from different directions. Some of them definitely from Mali and Algeria," Magariaf said.
When Schieffer asked if it would be safe for FBI investigators to enter Libya, Magariaf said he believes the FBI should stay out "for a little while."
"Maybe it is better for them to stay for a little while, for a little while. But until we, we do what we have to do ourselves," Magariaf said. "Any hasty action I think is not welcome."
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He called the attacks "ugly" and "criminal" deeds that do not reflect the Libyan people's view toward America.
"These ugly deeds, criminal deeds were directed against the late Ambassador Chris Stevens and his colleagues do not resemble any way, in any sense, the aspirations, the feelings of Libyans towards the United States and its citizens," Magariaf said