Libyan officer: U.S. knows where Ansar al Sharia, suspected in consulate attack, is, but shouldn't attack

Members of Libya's Ansar al-Sharia Brigade stand in front of their compound in Benghazi, before they were chased out of the city by members of the public in September. / AP

BENGHAZI, Libya An officer with the military High Command in charge of Eastern Libya tells CBS News that Ansar al Sharia fighters - suspected by the U.S. and Libyan governments of carrying out the fatal attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi - have regrouped, and are camped out close to the eastern Libyan city.

The militants were chased off their paramilitary bases in Benghazi and the city of Derna last month by angry crowds.

"They are in an area about 50 kilometers (about 30 miles) east of Benghazi," Col. Hamid Hassi tells CBS News. "The Defense Ministry and the Americans know where they are. Two weeks ago, there were drones flying over the area."

Asked whether he anticipates a strike against the fighters, the colonel warned against a unilateral American attack from the air.

"America and Libya should work together on catching the men who attacked the consulate," he said. "But if the Americans act alone it will cause huge resentment and could destabilize the whole region."

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The fight against Islamic extremist groups in Libya - some of which have links to al Qaeda - is broader than just Ansar al Sharia, explains Hassi, who is directing an operation involving more than 1,000 soldiers designed to capture another group of extremists who murdered four police officers at a checkpoint near the town of Susa last week.

At the moment, his operation is stalled as he waits for backup from the overstretched national army in Tripoli, which is fighting another rebellion in the town of Bani Walid, much closer to the capital in Libya's west.

"We have to concentrate on Eastern Libya," said the Colonel - who confirms that fighters with links to al Qaeda are still living and operating in the area under his command. "If we don't, we won't only lose control in Bani Walid, we will lose the whole North African coast."

[Billy-the_Kid]

OK, here is your reality check. I was a Marine squad leader in Vam and ran dozens of S&D missions. When we were in an area that had been removed from our "free fire zone" we were required to call in for permission to fire. Squad called platoon called Bat. who called Reg. who called Div. and then the commands flowed backwards. We called in and then moved to engage. Once we had an adventagious firing position, we engaged. When the SITREP was called in it was simply. "3, 3/2. Said indigonous personel intiated fire and we returned fire" "Exploytation report to follow". The reason for all is to let you all know that if Mr. Obama had not cleared the mission a junior officer wold have and later claimed "com" problems. ObL dies and Obamastill takes the credit. Mission fails, "com" problems and Sh*t happens. It's been done that way for hundreds of years.

I hope that I didn't burst any bubbles. Semper Fi

[Observer1504]

" Hey Achmed .. I just read on the CBS website that the Americans know where we are ............... time to haul A..... !!!

[gitmetawidit]

"...Hassi, who is directing an operation involving more than 1,000 soldiers designed to capture another group of extremists who murdered four police officers at a checkpoint near the town of Susa last week.

At the moment, his operation is stalled as he waits for backup..."

See anything wrong here? 1,000 soldiers to capture a group of extremists and this guy wants some backup?

[levelheadedtoo]

And why didn't we work with the Pakistani government and military to take out OBL? Because no one would be home when a raid happened if we did. I see no difference here. I am sure we have ways of taking care of this scum that offers us deniability and the world would look the other way.

[Solarrays247]

In this high tech age, why do we need to send any of our young off to die in a war? Unless, of course, you are in favor of continuing to feed the military industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about as he was leaving office?

[donkey888]

Correction...had nothing to do with finding Osama

[donkey888]

Obama had nothing to do with finding Obama...he just gave the order to kill him when they found him - something any president would do. Try something else because your comment didn't make any sense.

[esscape]

Well, we know what obama will do ANYTIME we are attacked... apologize!

[rubberrezi]

You *******. Your Republicant party screwed around for 10 years and left it to Obama to take out OBL! Obama has more sense than the whole Bush clan put together.

[askagain]

The solution is simple. Libyan rebels could not overthrow the Libyan government without our help. Unless the new Libyan government cooperates, stop providing any aid to Libya and use sanctions similar to those with Iran on Libya. We don't need another Pakistan or Afghanistan. We have the drones, lets use them.

[MrsHippy]

World War III has begun and it is just a matter of time until all the developed nations are dragged into it. The War is Religious Tolerance verses Religious Intolerance and the Actors are Developed Nations verses Undeveloped Nations. The war will build and build as desperation, intolerance, and wealth and poverty clash. The lines are drawn and the beginning volleys have begun. Either developed nations will have to coordinate and work together or they will be divided and ideological differences will decide the fate and future of mankind, and it won't be pretty!

[erasmus111]

"World War III has begun..."

Yes, it has.

[MrsHippy]

BishopRobme

That was really good, the way you ignored, the bombing of the Cole, and the 9/11 attacks, and yesterday's shooting of a 14 year old girl who just wanted an education. Maybe the real Question should be: "Who wants your Radical, Murderous, Freedom Denying, Women Beating, Beheading by Cowards, 10,000 years old corrupted Islam?