President Obama: Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan

• Tweet
• 

Osama bin Laden, the man behind the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, has been killed by U.S. forces.

President Barack Obama made the announcement in a speech tonight. The news comes nearly a decade after the attacks where about 3,000 victims were killed.

WATCH PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S ENTIRE SPEECH HERE

“The United States has conducted an operation that has killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda,” Obama said in his speech.

From left, Darren Sowards, Josh Finch, William Carroll, Danny Krause, Mike Olney and Kevin Newman listen to President Obama address the nation to confirm the death of Osama bin Laden Sunday night in Calkins Hall. "I'm glad he's dead." Sowards said. "I think this is just extremely good news for everyone," Krause said. (Andrew Kuhn)

Obama said bin Laden was killed Sunday in a firefight in Pakistan following intelligence he was located in the country. There were no civilian casualties and no Americans were harmed, Obama said. The U.S. is in possession of bin Laden’s body.

He said the U.S. was first informed of a possible lead on bin Laden’s whereabouts in August and took until last week to fully develop. Last week, Obama determined he had enough intelligence to take action.

“Last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice,” Obama said.

The president said bin Laden’s death is the “most significant achievement to date in our effort to defeat al-Qaeda,” but cautioned that the terrorist organization would continue to pursue attacks against the United States.

“The American people did not choose this fight, it came to our shores and started with a senseless slaughter against our citizens,” he said. “We know well the costs, and Americans understand the cost of war as a country. We will never tolerate our security being threatened and we will be relentless in defense of our citizens.”

Obama said the capture or killing of bin Laden has been the top priority of the U.S. since August, when he received intelligence that bin Laden was in Pakistan.

The president thanked the Pakistani president for his assistance and cooperation in obtaining bin Laden and noted bin Laden had made attacks upon the Pakistani people as well. White House senior officials, in a conference call with reporters, said the intelligence on bin Laden’s location was not shared with any other country, including Pakistan.

“Our cooperation with Pakistan lead us to bin Laden,” Obama said.

Egypt senior Kyrollos Nessim watches President Barack Obama speak about the death of Osama bin Laden late Sunday night in the Woldt Terrace study room. According to U.S. officials. Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan Sunday by U.S. troops. "It's a good step toward the end of terrorism, but it's far from over," Nessim said. (Perry Fish/Staff Photographer)

He said the country should be reminded of the unity it experienced following the attacks and said Americans should recapture that feeling in the spirit of justice for 9/11 victims and their families.

“On Sept. 11, 2001, we offered our neighbors a hand and offered the wounded our blood,” Obama said. “We reaffirmed our ties to each other and our love of community and country; no matter where we came from, or race or ethnicity, we were united as one American family.”

He said the country can say to families who have lost loved ones because of al-Qaeda’s terror, ‘Justice has been done.’

“Today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people,” Obama said. “We are once again reminded America can do whatever we set our mind to.”

In a statement made on his wife, Laura’s, Facebook page, former President George W. Bush said Obama called him early Sunday evening. Bush said he offered congratulations to the current president, military and intelligence personnel.

“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 Sept.11, 2001,” Bush said. “The fight against terror goes on, but tonight, America has sent an unmistakable message: no matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”