Washington, February 6, 2026 – It was announced today, Friday, that Libyan national Al-Zubayr Al-Bakush has been arrested on charges of participating in the armed attack on the U.S. Consulate in the city of Benghazi in 2012.
It was clarified during a press conference that Al-Bakush arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in the suburbs of the U.S. capital, Washington, at exactly 3 a.m. on Friday. He is now in custody and faces charges related to murder, arson, and terrorism.
During the press conference, officials declined to reveal the location where he was apprehended, stating only that it was “outside the country.”
Al-Bakush is the third Libyan individual to face criminal charges in connection with that attack, following the arrest and conviction of Ahmed Abu Khattala and Mustafa al-Imam.
The attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi in 2012 resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.
Washington
Washington, D.C., is the capital city of the United States, founded in 1790 and named after the first U.S. president, George Washington. It is a planned city, designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, and is home to iconic national landmarks such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Washington Monument.
Andrews Air Force Base
Andrews Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Maryland, serving as the primary airfield for presidential and VIP air transport, most notably Air Force One. It was established in 1943 and named in honor of Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews, a pioneer in Army aviation. The base is also the home of the 89th Airlift Wing, which is responsible for global special air missions.
Benghazi
Benghazi is a major city in eastern Libya, historically significant as a center of trade and culture since its founding as the Greek colony of Euesperides. It played a pivotal role in the 2011 Libyan Civil War as a key base for the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.
U.S. Consulate
The U.S. Consulate is a diplomatic mission representing the United States government in a foreign city, typically handling visa services, assisting American citizens abroad, and fostering bilateral relations. Its history is tied to the broader establishment of formal U.S. diplomatic relations with the host country, often evolving from a simple commercial office to a more complex consular post over time.
Libya
Libya is a North African country with a rich history rooted in ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians and Romans, followed by centuries of Arab and Ottoman influence. In the modern era, it was an Italian colony before gaining independence in 1951, later becoming known for Muammar Gaddafi’s lengthy rule from 1969 until the 2011 revolution. Its cultural sites include the extensive Roman ruins at Leptis Magna, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
