PARIS: Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar was very likely killed by a US strike in Libya but his death has not been confirmed, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Thursday.
Libya has said that Belmokhtar, who masterminded a 2013 attack on Algeria's In Amenas gasfield, was killed in eastern Libya. US defence officials confirmed an air strike on Belmokhtar which they said appeared to have been successful, but they have not confirmed that he was killed.
Speaking to BMF radio, Le Drian echoed Washington's assessment of Balmokhtar's fate.
"There was a raid by the US army, which targeted a place where he was supposed to be, but I can't confirm it at this stage, it's very likely but not certain," he said.
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