You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade now to a modern browser in order to benefit of all our site's features: Chrome, FireFox, Opera, Safari or Internet Explorer. [Close]

The Official Blog of Fox News Channel

Tunisian Man Arrested in Connection to the Libya Terror Attack

Fox News is being told about a "smoking gun" concerning the origin of last month’s deadly terror attack in Libya. Correspondent Catherine Herridge reported on Special Report that Tunisian national, Ali ani al-Harzi, was arrested in Turkey and is now being held by Tunisian authorities in connection with Benghazi attack on September 11th.

She said that al-Harzi is being described as a suspected participant and not a commander of the assault. Read more from Catherine Herridge below:

Confirmation of the arrest came shortly after a leading House lawmaker, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., expressed concern about the status of the investigation.

In an interview with Fox News, Rogers said he was not comfortable with the pursuit of those responsible for the murders, suggesting the administration was too pre-occupied with reconciling the conflicting statements it has put out on the Libya attack.

"I am not comfortable with where we are today in tracking the folks, identifying, tracking and bringing to justice the people who killed an American ambassador," Rogers said.

U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the Sept. 11 strike.

Rogers also provided new details that further challenge administration claims that the attack did not involve significant pre-planning.

He said that, less than a day after the strike, the intelligence committee was told it was a "military"-style event. "Within 12 hours of that incident the intelligence committee received a report that said this was a military- or malicious-style event which would contradict all of what they (the administration) were talking about," Rogers explained.

Military experts also say the use of mortars at the annex -- which sources have said was actually a CIA post -- is totally inconsistent with claims that the strike was "spontaneous" or "opportunistic."

Fox News military analyst Ralph Peters called that the "smoking gun" that proves the attack was preplanned "well in advance" for the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terror strikes.

Peters said a mortar requires mathematical calculations -- factoring in distance and elevation -- to successfully reach a target. Fox News is told that the first two mortars narrowly missed the annex, with the mortar team recalibrating and then launching two successful rounds. Peter said the most likely scenario is that the mortar location was designated in advance, during daylight hours, when visual contact with the target would have been possible.

"The mortar was probably set up during hours of daylight, so they could make sure they had, again, the compass angle exactly right," Peters explained. "None of this is easy stuff."

Retired Army Gen. Bob Scales, also a Fox News military analyst, said there is no question the mortar team relied on a spotter on location, who used a radio or cell phone to help "recalibrate" the mortar for a direct hit. Scales, too, said the most likely scenario is that the mortar location was designated during daylight hours -- more evidence of pre-meditation -- adding that it is "graduate-level work" which some western military forces are not proficient with.

The administration has abandoned claims that the attack was effectively a protest spun out of control. However, after acknowledging the attack was terrorism by militants with extremist ties, intelligence officials have started to return to claims that it was nevertheless inspired by protests in Egypt over an anti-Islam film -- and involved little planning.

Rogers alleges that selective leaks over the weekend, including a report in the Washington Post, are part of an orchestrated effort by the administration to legitimize early statements by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice and others about the genesis of the attack.

"What is so frustrating to me is ... over the weekend you see these anonymous U.S. sources, intelligence personnel leaking timelines, even leaking certain pieces of information which was requested by the committee, and all of it seems to put the administration in a good light," Rogers explained

Rogers said there is strong intelligence that undercuts the administration's position.

Fox News has been told that the assault by roughly 135 militants was well-coordinated, and that the attackers used so-called "blocking teams" to block off any passage between the consulate and the annex about a mile away. Both buildings came under attack that night.

They also used "kill-or-capture teams" and employed a "quick reaction force" -- a contingent of reserve militants on standby to flood the area if needed.

"That is a fairly complicated, sophisticated thing to do," Rogers said. "That you just don't grab a few weapons, jump out of the truck and coordinate on the spot."

While Rogers and others suggest the administration has cherry-picked intelligence for political purposes, Obama advisers accuse Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney of politicizing the tragedy.

"There's only one candidate here who's tried to exploit it from the beginning. Even while the flames were burning in Benghazi, Mitt Romney was sending out political press releases on this and the whole Republican Party has followed," Obama adviser David Axelrod said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Read Herridge's full report at FoxNews.com.

Leave a Comment0

Today's Front Page Stories

On Fox News Channel

All Times Eastern

8
P

What’s really going on in our government? And how high up do the problems go? Watch a ‘Factor’ Special: The DC Scandals, tonight.

9
P

Senator Marco Rubio explains his plan to fix the immigration system, and his strategy to get it passed on the Hill. Watch Sean Hannity’s must-see interview.

10
P

The White House is embroiled in controversy! Greta’s in the heart of the Beltway, getting the inside track on the investigations. It's a special On The Record: Second Term Scandals.

Don't want to keep checking back here for the latest from Fox News? That's cool. We'll come to you ...

Connect with Fox News

Subscribe

Stay connected with the most-trusted name in cable news through exclusive videos, blogs, polls, contests and behind-the-scene details.

Get More Fox!

A Reporter’s Fate in the Balance

Fox News’ Jana Winter still faces jail time simply for doing her job. In the words of Fox News’ Judge Napolitano: “Putting reporters in jail for revealing the truth while protecting their sources is highly offensive to the values the First Amendment was written to protect.” Read up on the full story here

Sync Up With “Hannity Live”

Visit on your tablet, smartphone, or computer during the show for an exclusive feed LIVE from the “Hannity” control room. The show’s producers will post videos, articles and slideshows related to what Sean and his guests are talking about in real time. 

This is the place to join-up with other fans nightly. Test your knowledge in ‘Hannity’s History Exam,’ and take part in exclusive flash polls. So, tune in at 9p ET on Fox News Channel, and point your Internet browser to Hannity Live.” It’s fun, it's easy, and it’s free!

Greta Is Wired!

GretaWire.com is the official blog of Greta Van Susteren. Get Greta’s breaking news alerts, pictures, videos, polls, and behind-the-scenes exclusives. Plus, speak out on open threads, as well as the live chat page. Connect to the GretaWire community ... and to Greta herself!