>>>
the investigation into the attack on the u.s. consulate in
libya
that killed four americans, including ax
chris stevens
. nbc's
ann curry
sat down with
libya
's new president last night for an exclusive interview.
>> reporter:
would you call the attack on the u.s. consulate in benghazi an
act of terrorism
?
>>
i have no doubt about that, and it's a pre-planned
act of terrorism
directed against american citizens.
>> reporter:
what is your evidence that it was a pre-planned
act of terrorism
?
>>
number one, is choosing the date, 11th of september. it has all the significance. we take the facts about the way it was executed. can you see there's enough proof that it is a pre-planned
act of terrorism
.
>> reporter:
describe the attack based on your investigation.
>>
it's too early for me to give the details, but it was launched with a high degree of accuracy which means the perpetrators must have had some kind of exercise on how to hit and launch these rockets.
>> reporter:
you're confirming that rpgs were used in the initial attack.
>>
mortars.
>> reporter:
mortars were use in the subsequent attack.
>>
at the
safe house
, yes.
>> reporter:
and do you know how many mortars were used?
>>
about five.
>> reporter:
and you're saying these were fired with such accuracy.
>>
yes.
>> reporter:
that this could not have been done by someone who did not have experience.
>>
experience and knew what he was doing.
>> reporter:
and this is what is helping convince you that this was a pre-planned attack, not a reaction to a controversial movie?
>>
yes. i have no doubt about this.
>> reporter:
do you think the movie had anything to do with the attack on the consulate?
>>
not on this attack, it has nothing to do with this attack.
>> reporter:
so do you know then who is behind this attack and what the motive was?
>>
i think it's
al qaeda
elements, hiding in
libya
.
>> reporter:
is there any
direct evidence
that it is
al qaeda
behind this attack on the u.s. consulate?
>>
so far not. so far not. as the investigation progresses, there is the likes of that that will show that the attack on the consulate was pre-planned with the intention of killing ambassador stevens, that is too early to say.
>>
the libyan president went on to tell ann at least 40 people have been interrogated. still no mastermind has been arrested, but he's confident that it will happen.
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