WASHINGTON (AP) — White House press secretary Robert Gibbs on Sunday said the United States is actively hunting American-born Yemeni cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.
The radical cleric is calling for the killing of American civilians in a new video released Sunday by the Yemen-based al Qaeda offshoot al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula.
The White House spokesman said President Obama will continue to take action directly against terrorists such as Anwar al-Awlak, and keep the U.S. safe from what Mr. Gibbs called “murderous thugs.”
RELATED STORY: Yemeni cleric advocates killing U.S. civilians
Senior administration officials say Anwar al-Awlaki is on a list of terrorists U.S. forces are authorized to capture or kill. His Internet sermons are believed to have helped inspire attacks on the United States.
Mr. Gibbs appeared Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.