Tripoli- The Libyan government on Wednesday, demanded the U.S. to hand over the suspected masterminder of the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

The suspect, Ahmed Abu Khatallah, has been in the custody of U.S.

Khatallah was arrested on Sunday following a joint cooperation between American troops and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Libya’s second largest city of Benghazi.

Libyan Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Said al-Saoud said the government condemned the U.S. operation on Libyan territory without government’s prior knowledge.

He added that the suspect should be returned to Libya and tried in Libyan courts.

“I followed the government statements made by the U.S. officials that their forces kidnapped Libyan citizen Ahmed Abu Khtallah.

“We emphasise Libya has the right to try him in accordance with our laws,’’ al-Saoud said.

Libyan Justice Minister Saleh al-Marghani also made a statement on Wednesday saying Khatallah should be returned to Libya and tried there.

Last year, the U.S. filed charges against Khattala and at least a dozen others in connection with the attack on the U.S. Consulate on September 2012 in Benghazi.

The attack killed the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens and other three U.S. nationals.

(Xinhua/NAN)