06-04-10 US approves killing US-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki

The US government has authorised the capture or killing of radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki,currently based in Yemen,officials have confirmed.The cleric,who is a US citizen,is being targeted for his involvement in planning attacks on the US.Mr Awlaki was linked to the attempted bombing of an airliner bound for the US and a shooting on a US Army base.US officials have warned that Yemen is becoming a safe haven for al-Qaeda militants.The BBC's Steve Kingstone,in Washington,says it is highly unusual for the CIA to be given approval by the president's National Security Council to target a US citizen.The order was made by the Obama administration earlier this year,but it has just been revealed after a review of national security policy.