Al-Qaida cleric 'plotted attacks'

An American-born cleric killed in Yemen played a “significant operational role” in plotting and inspiring attacks on the US, officials said, as they disclosed detailed intelligence to justify the killing of a US citizen.

Anwar al-Awlaki was killed early today in a strike on his convoy carried out by a joint operation of the CIA and the US Joint Special Operations Command. Al-Awlaki had been under observations for three weeks while they waited for the right opportunity to strike.