Al-Qaeda militants killed Somers during U.S. rescue bid: Hagel

[December 06, 2014]  By Phil Stewart
 
 KABUL (Reuters) - Al Qaeda militants killed U.S. journalist Luke Somers and another hostage during a rescue operation in Yemen, U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Saturday, saying the attempt to free the captives was justified.

"There were compelling reasons to believe Mr. Somers' life was in imminent danger," Hagel said in Kabul.

The second hostage was not a U.S. citizen, Hagel said.

(Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Louise Heavens)

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