US Justice Department has said that it would unmask long-protected name of a Saudi Arabian official linked to 9/11. alleged name h ties to Al-Qaeda perpetrators of September 11, 2001 attacks. development comes after years of pressure from families of victims of attacks. FBI and Justice Department decided to declassify name of Saudi official "in light of extraordinary circumstances of this particular case."

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US to unmask Saudi connection with 9/11

case has long threatened to embarrass Saudi government, which has repeatedly denied links to Al-Qaeda and leave it exposed to claims of dams that could reach into billions of dollars. person was third of three main Saudi officials referred to in an FBI report into attacks as having allegedly assisted some of attackers after y arrived in United States. In all 19 men, 15 of m Saudis, took part in plot to hijack four airliners and crash m into New York's World Tre Center, Pentagon and possibly White House or Congress. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, and families have sued seeking dams from Saudi government.

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An official report into attacks in 2002 said that some of attackers h received funds from Saudi officials, "at least two" of whom were "alleged by some to be Saudi intelligence officers." two were Fah al-Thumairy and Omar al-Bayoumi, both attached to Saudi Arabia's US embassy at time. Subsequent investigations rejected claim that y were involved with hijackers. But in 2012, a redacted FBI report repeated allegations and referred to a third person who may have directed m, but blacked out his name. Rumors have tied individual to Saudi royal family. But his identity has always been kept classified as Washington and Riyh worked closely after attacks to root out Al-Qaeda's networks throughout Middle East and South Asia.

" FBI recognizes need and desire of victims' families to understand what happened to ir loved ones and to hold those responsible accountable," Justice Department said.

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US Justice Department on revealing Saudi name

Justice Department did t say when name would become public; it plans to supply it to court first. But it suggested individual might t have been involved with Al-Qaeda plotters. " information referring to that individual refers to an investigative ory being pursued by FBI at that time, and does t represent an objective statement of fact," it said. Those involved in lawsuit cheered decision.

" families are dedicated to getting to truth, and we shouldn't have to beg for this sort of basic information, or be kept in dark, about Saudi role in attacks," said Terry Stra, national chairman of group which sued, 9/11 Families & Survivors United for Justice Against Terrorism.

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