Clinton Defends Drones Following Al-Libi’s Death

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backed the U.S. drone program which targets Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan’s tribal belt. The program has strained relations with Pakistan’s government, which views it as a breach of sovereignty that harms civilians. Clinton defended the strikes while attending the Global Counterterrorism Forum in Istanbul. “We will always maintain our right to use force against groups such as al Qaeda that have attacked us and still threaten us with imminent attack,” she said. 

The drone debate has intensified following the confirmed killing of Al-Qaeda’s deputy leader Abu Yahya al-Libi. While Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has called the program illegal, Clinton told the conference that the U.S. is operating within international law. “In doing so, we will comply with the applicable law, including the laws of war, and go to extraordinary lengths to ensure precision and avoid the loss of innocent life,” she said.  

Via Reuters.

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