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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mokhtar Belmokhtar: Algeria gas plant attack leader 'killed' | Mokhtar Belmokhtar: Algeria gas plant attack leader 'killed' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A senior Islamist militant who ordered a deadly attack on an Algerian gas plant two years ago has been killed in a US air strike, Libyan officials say. | |
| Mokhtar Belmokhtar and other fighters were killed in the operation in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, a statement from Libya's government said. | |
| However, there have been several false reports of his death in the past. | However, there have been several false reports of his death in the past. |
| The Pentagon said it had targeted a "mid-level" al-Qaeda operative, giving few details. | The Pentagon said it had targeted a "mid-level" al-Qaeda operative, giving few details. |
| It said Saturday's operation had been successful but did not name the target, saying officials were still assessing it. | |
| Notoriety | Notoriety |
| Born in Algeria, Belmokhtar was a former senior figure in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), but left to form his own militia. | Born in Algeria, Belmokhtar was a former senior figure in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), but left to form his own militia. |
| He gained notoriety with the attack on the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria in 2013, when about 800 people were taken hostage and 38 killed. | He gained notoriety with the attack on the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria in 2013, when about 800 people were taken hostage and 38 killed. |
| The US has filed terror charges against him and officials said they believed he remained a threat to Western interests. | The US has filed terror charges against him and officials said they believed he remained a threat to Western interests. |
| Libya said the strike came after consultation with the US. | Libya said the strike came after consultation with the US. |
| The country has been in chaos since the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. | |
| Libya's internationally recognised parliament is operating in exile in the eastern port of Tobruk. | |
| A rival parliament, the Islamist-dominated General National Congress, is nearly 1,000km (620 miles) to the west in Tripoli. | |
| Rival militia have been battling to fill the power vacuum, with Islamic State militants battling other Islamists in the east. | |
| Profile: Mokhtar Belmokhtar |