Osama bin Laden seen in an undated photo taken from a television image (Photo by Getty Images)President Obama told the nation Sunday night that Osama bin Laden, long-hunted leader of the al-Qaida terror group and mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was killed in a firefight in Pakistan following a lengthy intelligence operation. "Justice has been done," he said.
Read the president's full statement or watch it here:
Since 9/11, U.S. intelligence teams have been working with allies to capture or kill bin Laden, who had escaped from Afghanistan to Pakistan, President Obama said. "Last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action," the president said in a late-night address at the White House.
After a firefight, the U.S. team killed bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and took custody of his body, he said, adding that no Americans were harmed in the operation.
U.S. officials told reporters that three adult males also were killed in the raid, including one of bin Laden's sons, though he wasn't named. The officials described the operation by U.S. Navy Seals.
An impromptu crowd gathered outside of the White House Sunday night, cheering, waving American flags and holding signs saying, "Ding dong, Osama bin Laden is dead."
Senior correspondent Margaret Warner reports that there is concern among White House officials tonight, as they watch images of teenage kids in shorts and T-shirts celebrating out front of the building as if the home team won a football game, that this is not the image they want to project abroad at this critical moment, particularly to the Arab world. One noted many of the young people partying out there had been at most 8-10 years old when 9/11 had happened. Said one official: "Perhaps the president should have said, 'this is not the time for celebration, but for sober reflection and rededication to the principles that guide our resolve." In short, the pep rally atmosphere is not the image or message the White House wanted to project to Arabs and Muslims around the world as it awakened to the stunning news.
Reaction:
Statements from current and past officials began pouring in shortly after the president's announcement.
Former President George W. Bush:
"Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaida network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude. This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done."
Former President Clinton:
"This is a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in al-Qaida's other attacks but for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children. I congratulate the president, the national security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaida attacks."
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg:
"New Yorkers have waited nearly 10 years for this news. It is my hope that it will bring some closure and comfort to all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001."
Resources:
PBS' Frontline: Hunting Bin Laden. Interview with bin Laden from May 1998, two months before U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania
The New Yorker: Young Osama by Steve Coll
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