Former spokesman for Osama bin Laden demands revenge for October capture of Islamist militiaman in Libya

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Al-Qaida's American spokesman has said that the US's kidnapping of an al-Qaida suspect from Libya is a crime of piracy, and urged Libyans to attack US interests everywhere.

Adam Gadahn, a former spokesman for Osama bin Laden, said in an audio speech posted on militant websites late on Saturday that Abu Anas al-Liby had no role in the 1998 bombings of two US embassies in Africa, because he had left al-Qaida and formed a new group.

US special forces snatched al-Liby off the streets of Tripoli in October and detained him on a US warship before bringing him to the US to stand trial.

"The kidnapping is a new episode in a series of US crimes of piracy," Gadahn said, urging Libyans to "stand up for revenge" and attack US foreign and domestic interests.