H: UBL, AQ & LIBYA. SID

From: Hillary Clinton To: Lauren Jiloty Date: 2011-05-01 02:12 Subject: H: UBL, AQ & LIBYA. SID

UNCLASSIFIED STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. U.S. Department of State SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER. Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739696 Date: 05/13/2015 RELEASE IN PART B6 Sent Monday, May 2, 201111:08 AM Subject Fw: H: UBL, AQ & Libya. Sid Pis print. B6 From; CONFIDENTIAL May 2, 2011 For Hillary Re: Bin Laden, AQ & Libya Latest report: During the early morning of May 2, 2011 sources with access to the leadership of the Libyan rebellion's ruling Transitional National Council (TNC) stated in confidence that they are concerned that the death of al Qa'ida leader Osama Bin Laden will inspire al Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to use weapons they have obtained, which were originally intended for the rebels in Libya, to retaliate against the United States and its allies for this attack in Pakistan. These individuals fear that the use of the weapons in this manner will complicate the INC 's relationship with NATO and the United States, whose support is vital to them in their struggle with the forces of Muarnmar al Qaddafi. In this regard they are concerned that U.S. officials will believe reports, often created by the Tripoli Government, regarding the degree of influence exercised by AQIM on the INC. These individuals note that the TNC officials are reacting to reports received during the week of April 25 from their own sources of information, the French General Directorate for External Security (DGSE), and British external intelligence service (MI-6), stating that AQIM has acquired about 10 SAM 7- Grail/Streela man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS or MPADS) from illegal weapons markets in Western Niger and Northern Mali. These weapons were originally intended for sale to the rebel forces in Libya, but AQIM operatives were able to meet secretly with these arms dealers and purchase the equipment. The acquisition of these sophisticated weapons creates a serious threat to air traffic in Southern Morocco, Algeria, Northern Mali, Western Niger, and Eastern Mauritania. (Source Comment. According to very sensitive sources, the Libyan rebels are concerned that AQIM may also obtain SPIGOTT wire guided anti-tank missiles and an unspecified number of Russian anti-tank mines made of plastic and undetectable by anti-mine equipment. This equipment again was coming through Niger and Mali, and was intended for the rebels in Libya. They note that AQIM is very strong in this region of Northwest Africa.) UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739696 STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. UNCLASSIFIED STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER. Doc No. C05739696 Date: 05/13/2015 In the opinion of these knowledgeable individuals, Libyan rebel commanders are also concerned that the death of Bin Laden comes at a time when sensitive information indicates that the leaders of AQIM are planning to launch attacks across North Africa and Eurcipe in an effort to reassert their relevance during the ongoing upheavals in Libya, as well as the rest of North Africa and the Middle East. They believe the first step in this campaign was the April 30 bombing of a cafe in Marrakesh, Morocco that is frequented by Western tourists. These individuals point out that AQIM also maintains a wide reach in Europe. The TNC leaders are also concerned that, with the death of Saif al-Arab Qaddafi, the youngest son of Muammar Qaddafi, the Tripoli Government may pursue retaliation against the United States and its Western allies through surrogate terrorist groups, particularly Hezbollah. While the deaths of Bin Laden and Saif al-Arab are completely unrelated, two separate and very dangerous groups will now be looking for revenge against the U.S. and its allies. (Source Comment: These knowledgeable sources believe that the leaders of the INC are also worried about the reaction to the death of Bin Laden among rebel fighters and their supporters in Libya and Egypt, where the al Qa'ida leader was very popular. These TNC officials do not want the death of Bin Laden to affect their relations with the West or their support from NATO, the U.S., France, or Great Britain.) UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. Doc No. C05739696 UNCLASSIFIED STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. U.S. Department of State SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER. Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739696 Date: 05/13/2015 CONFIDENTIAL May 2, 2011 For. Hillary Re: Bin Laden, AQ & Libya Latest report: During the early morning of May 2, 2011 sources with access to the leadership of the Libyan rebellion's ruling Transitional National Council (TNC) stated in confidence that they are concerned that the death of al Qa'ida leader Osama Bin Laden will inspire al Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to use weapons they have obtained, which were originally intended for the rebels in Libya, to retaliate against the United States and its allies for this attack in Pakistan. These individuals fear that the use of the weapons in this manner will complicate the TNC's relationship with NATO and the United States, whose support is vital to them in their struggle with the forces of Muammar al Qaddafi. In this regard they are concerned that U.S. officials will believe reports, often created by the Tripoli Government, regarding the degree of influence exercised by AQIM on the TNC. These individuals note that the INC officials are reacting to reports received during the week of April 25 from their own sources of information, the French General Directorate for External Security (DGSE), and British external intelligence service (M1-6), stating that AQIM has acquired about 10 SAM 7- Grail/Streela man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS or MPADS) from illegal weapons markets in Western Niger and Northern Mali. These weapons were originally intended for sale to the rebel forces in Libya, but AQIM operatives were able to meet secretly with these arms dealers and purchase the equipment, The acquisition of these sophisticated weapons creates a serious threat to air traffic in Southern Morocco, Algeria, Northern Mali, Western Niger, and Eastern Mauritania. (Source Comment: According to very sensitive sources, the Libyan rebels are concerned that AQIM may also obtain SPIGOTT wire-guided anti-tank missiles and an unspecified number of Russian anti-tank mines made of plastic and undetectable by anti-mine equipment. This equipment again was coming through Niger and Mali, and was intended for the rebels in Libya. They note that AQIM is very strong in this region of Northwest Africa.) UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739696 STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. UNCLASSIFIED STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM. U.S. Department of State SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON SENSITIVE INFORMATION & REDACTIONS. NO FOIA WAIVER. Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739696 Date: 05/13/2015 In the opinion of these knowledgeable individuals, Libyan rebel commanders are also concerned that the death of Bin Laden comes at a time when sensitive information indicates that the leaders of AQIM are planning to launch attacks across North Africa and Europe in an effort to reassert their relevance during the ongoing upheavals in Libya, as well as the rest of North Africa and the Middle East. They believe the first step in this campaign was the April 30 bombing of a cafe in Marrakesh, Morocco that is frequented by Western tourists. These individuals point out that AQIM also maintains a wide reach in Europe. The TNC leaders are also concerned that with the death of Saif al-Arab Qaddafi, the youngest son of Muammar Qaddafi, the Tripoli Government may pursue retaliation against the United States and its Western allies through surrogate terrorist groups, particularly Hezbollah. While the deaths of Bin Laden and Saif al-Arab are completely unrelated, two separate and very dangerous groups will now be looking for revenge against the U.S. and its allies. (Source Comment: These knowledgeable sources believe that the leaders of the TNC are also worried about the reaction to the death of Bin Laden among rebel fighters and their supporters in Libya and Egypt, where the al Qa'ida leader was very popular. These TNC officials do not want the death of Bin Laden to affect their relations with the West or their support from NATO, the U.S., France, or Great Britain.) UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2015-04841 Doc No. C05739696 STATE DEPT. - PRODUCED TO HOUSE SELECT BENGHAZI COMM.