Attack on US in Libya 'revenge' for Qaeda death

AQAP DUBAI (AFP) - Al-Qaeda said the deadly attack on the United States (US) consulate in Benghazi in Libya was in revenge for the killing of the network's number two Sheikh Abu Yahya al-Libi, the Site Intelligence Group reported on Saturday.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) also called for more violent demonstrations against US embassies in the Middle East and Africa, and urged Muslims in the West to attack American interests in their countries of residence.

"The killing of Sheikh Abu Yahya only increased the enthusiasm and determination of the sons of (Libyan independence hero) Omar al-Mukhtar to take revenge upon those who attack our Prophet," AQAP said in a statement, quoted by the US-based monitoring group.

Al-Qaeda's Yemen-based offshoot did not claim direct responsibility for Tuesday's attack on the American consulate in Benghazi that killed the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other Americans.