President Obama Announced Death of Osama bin Laden

President Barack 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.

"Justice has been done," he said.

The United States determined that Osama bin Laden orchestrated the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in East Africa, an October 2000 attack on the USS Cole battleship in the Middle East, and finally, the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center that killed almost 3000 people.

After bin Laden was killed in a raid by U.S. forces, he was buried at sea. White House officials said the body was handled according to Islamic practice and tradition, which call for the body to be buried within 24 hours. Finding a country willing to accept the remains of the world's most wanted terrorist would have been difficult, and the U.S. did not want a burial site to become an inspiration for further attacks.

Across the country, Americans came together to celebrate the news. Joyful gatherings were held on college campuses and the streets of New York and Washington, DC.

However, according to PBS NewsHour senior correspondent Margaret Warner, some White House officials were concerned that the images of teenage kids in shorts and T-shirts celebrating as if the home team won a football game was not what they wanted to project at this critical moment, particularly to the Arab world.

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."

Former President George Bush, who was in charge when the 9/11 attacks occurred said "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."

Quotes

"The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda. Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7sa7SZ6arn1%2Bjsri%2Fx6isq2eToa60v9GopqZnlJa2rcWMr6CdnZ%2BofHN8kWxmaXBfpb%2Bmv8idnKesXaSvornAZpinpp%2Bqu6Sxw2abnpmknXqwsoyoqpqlkWKvqrqMpZidnZ4%3D