The "fully vetted professionals" behind the Benghazi attack

If this headline surprises you, you haven't been paying attention:

Breaking: Suspected Killer of US Ambassador Was Leader of US-Backed Libyan Rebel Forces & Former Gitmo Detainee

FOX News:

Sufyan Ben Qumu is thought to have been involved and even may have led the attack, Fox News' intelligence sources said. Qumu, a Libyan, was released from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2007 and transferred into Libyan custody on the condition he be kept in jail. He was released by the Qaddafi regime as part of its reconciliation effort with Islamists in 2008. His Guantanamo files also show he has ties to the financiers behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The declassified files also point to ties with the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, a known Al Qaeda affiliate. 

You may recall President Obama's assurances back in spring of 2011:

"Well, first of all, I think it's important to note that -- the people that we've met with have been fully vetted. So, we have -- a clear sense of who they are. And so far, they're saying the right things. And most of them are professionals, lawyers, doctors -- people who appear to be credible. That doesn't mean that all the people -- among all the people who opposed -- Qaddafi, there might not be elements that are unfriendly to the United States and our interests. ... And that's why I think it's important for us not to -- jump in with both feet."

What are the rebels' goals, beyond just removing Qaddafi from power?

"Well," Mr. Obama said, "so far, as I've said, they -- they've said the right thing. They'd like to see -- free and fair elections. They believe that -- human rights need to be respected inside of Libya. And so, if you look at the documents that they've forbear -- prepared and presented -- I think that -- they are on the right track. Ultimately Libya's -- governance is gonna be up to the Libyan people. And we can have some influence over that, but -- again, part of what my goal here has been is to protect the Libyan people, to give them the space and the time to work this stuff out, but not to take -- entire responsibility for -- ushering in - a -- entirely new government -- process. I think that that's something that the international community -- has to be a part of. And -- and we'll play a role in it. But -- it's not just -- something that -- that we do by ourselves."

As I wrote at the time, relax, they're professionals!

Turns out supporting and arming terrorists has a way of backfiring on your country. Who knew? Well, plenty of people, actually. But not Barack Obama. What Steyn wrote at the time:

Who are these rebels we’re simultaneously arming and bombing? Don’t worry, the CIA is “gathering intelligence” on them. They should have a clear of who our allies are round about the time Mohammed bin Jihad is firing his Kalashnikov and shouting “Death to the Great Satan!” from the balcony of the presidential palace. But America’s commander-in-chief thinks they’re pretty sound chaps. . . . Credible people with credentials — just like the president!

(Speaking of Obama's credibility, here's a whopper for you.)

Ross Kaminsky has much more on former Gitmo resident Sufyan bin Qumu here.

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Many thanks to Michelle Malkin for the Buzzworthy link.

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