On 14 September Colonel Joseph Mobutu, with the backing of the U.S. and Belgium, removed Lumumba from office. On 17 January 1961, he was handed over to Katangan authorities and executed by Belgian-led Katangese troops. An investigation by the Belgium's Parliament in 2001 found Belgium "morally responsible" for the murder of Lumumba, and the country has since officially apologised for its role in his death.