'US to hunt al-Qaeda leaders anywhere'

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/180929.html

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has reiterated Washington's tenacity to hunt down al-Qaeda leadership anywhere in the world with or without countries' consent.

"We've made it clear to people around the world that if we locate someone who has been part of the al-Qaeda leadership, then you get him or we will get him," the top US diplomat told CBS News on Thursday.

Clinton said the United States expects its allies to cooperate in its fight against al-Qaeda leaders within their territories, stressing that the American administration will take unilateral action if local governments fail to follow the US lead.

She also expressed deep satisfaction with the recent US forces raid in Pakistan, which led to the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in his hideout compound in the city of Abbottabad about 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of the capital Islamabad.

Clinton further pointed out that the US seeks more collaboration from Pakistan in its so-called war on terror.

On Friday, US President Barack Obama warned al-Qaeda members to 'watch their backs' as Washington will continue to 'act on a trove of intelligence' seized from bin Laden's residence.

Obama had announced on May 2 that bin Laden was killed by the US special forces a day earlier after he was found hiding in a compound in Pakistan.

Earlier in May, Clinton had made similar remarks on America's persistence in its fight against al-Qaeda despite the killing of bin Laden.

Analysts and military experts believe that the United States had delayed the killing of bin Laden to continue the presence of US-led forces in war-torn Afghanistan.