Osama Bin Landen was Killed ?

President Barack Obama has confirmed the death of Osama bin Laden, which came during a U.S. military operation in Pakistan. During the assault on a compound where bin Laden was hiding, the terrorist leader was killed and U.S. forces took custody on the body. In an address to the nation from the White House, Obama said no Americans were killed in the operation and there were no civilian casualties.

"Justice has been done," the president said.

Today's operation actually began in August with a credible tip on bin Laden's possible whereabouts, according to the president. That information uncovered a trail to bin Laden.

A small team of U.S. operatives targeted bin Laden in the compound in Abbottabad in Pakistan. Intensive intelligence work since that August tip determined that bin Laden was at the compound. The president said that once he got that confirmation from military authorities today, he authorized the operation.

This operation ended a manhunt that lasted for almost 10 years, and through two U.S. presidencies.

Former President George W. Bush was told of the news in a telephone call from President Obama. Bush, who was president during the 9/11 attacks, said the operation was a "momentous achievement."

"I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission," Bush said in a statement. "They have our everlasting gratitude. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done."

A U.S. official told news reporters that bin Laden's body is being handled in accordance with Islamic tradition.

EARLIER BLOG POST

Almost 10 years ten years after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, the mastermind of those terrorists acts, Osama bin Laden, has been killed. The U.S. has control of his body. Several news organizations are reporting bin Laden's death and President Obama was about to address the American people on the issue.

Bin Laden was an enemy of the United States even before the 9/11 attacks. He was involved in the 1998 bombings of two U.S. Embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole in a Yemeni port in 2000. He referred to the acts against the United States as "blessed terrorism."

"His death brings to an end a tumultuous life that saw bin Laden go from being the carefree son of a Saudi billionaire, to terrorist leader and the most wanted man in the world," says ABC News. "Bin Laden created and funded the al Qaeda terror network, which was responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The Saudi exile had been a man on the run since the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan overthrew the ruling Taliban regime, which harbored bin Laden."

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