U.S. President Barack Obama has announced that the world's most wanted terrorist, al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, was killed by U.S. forces Sunday during a firefight at a compound deep inside Pakistan.
Official Obama Osama Bin Laden announcement video. Bin Laden was living in a multi-million dollar mansion in the city. His whereabouts have
been known for some time. Mr. Obama made the announcement during a live nationwide television address at the White House Sunday night.
This development comes nearly 10 years after the catastrophic attacks by al-Qaida operatives on the United States on September 11, 2001.
U.S. forces have been hunting the Saudi terrorist kingpin ever since. Sunday's action was conducted in Abbottabad, in the Hazara area on the edge of Punjab.
Mr. Obama said bin Laden was not a Muslim leader, but a ?mass murderer of Muslims.? The president said bin Laden was located with the help of Pakistani intelligence, and that he authorized the operation after months of pursuing an intelligence lead.
Mr. Obama called the operation the most significant achievement in the mission to defeat al-Qaida, and said bin Laden's demise should be welcomed by all those who believe in peace and human dignity. The president said ?justice has been done.?
Senior Obama Administration officials said that Mr. Obama authorized the operation Friday. The officials said three other men were killed, including one of bin Laden's sons, and a woman was killed while being used as a human shield.
Mr. Obama said the U.S. took custody of bin Laden's body. The remains are being handled in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition.
The compound in Abbottabad is in a relatively affluent area about 50 kilometers north of the capital, Islamabad. U.S. officials said it has extraordinary security measures, including walls three to four meters high topped by barbed wire.
The U.S. did not share intelligence about the operation with any country, including Pakistan, and that very few people in the U.S. government knew of the plan in advance. Shortly afterward, Mr. Obama contacted Pakistani leaders as well as U.S. allies around the world.
Mr. Obama said he spoke by telephone with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, and that Pakistani officials agreed it was a good and historic day for both nations.
President Obama said there is "no doubt" al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks, and he said the U.S. must remain vigilant at home and abroad. Source:
Bin Laden Killed...
http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=1055&z=34
Video: Official Announcement...
http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=1057&z=34
