WASHINGTON, Sept 14: US President Barack Obama informed Congress on Friday that troops sent to Libya and Yemen to protect American missions would remain there until the situation stabilised.

In a war-power resolution report to Congress, Mr Obama noted that on Sept 12, he sent troops to Libya in response to an attack on US consulate in Benghazi, which caused the death of Ambassador John Christopher Stevens and three other diplomats.

He said that on Sept 13, he had sent an additional security force to Yemen in response to security threats there.

“Although these security forces are equipped for combat, these movements have been undertaken solely for the purpose of protecting American citizens and property,” he wrote.

“These security forces will remain in Libya and in Yemen until the security situation becomes such that they are no longer needed,” he added.

He noted that these actions were consistent with his responsibility to protect US citizens both at home and abroad, and in furtherance of US national security and foreign policy interests.

In an earlier campaign rally in Colorado, Mr Obama pledged to catch those responsible for attacks at US missions abroad, particularly those who killed US diplomats in Libya.