News Brief – May 2, 2011
The al-Qa’ida leader Osama bin Laden has been killed in a firefight with US forces in Pakistan, President Barack Obama said in an announcement late Sunday.
The announcement ends a nearly 10-year worldwide hunt for the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.
After announcing bin Laden’s death, the US State Department issued a global travel alert for Americans, warning them of “enhanced potential for anti-American violence,” Reuters reported.
“Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, US citizens in areas where events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations,” a statement by the State Department said.
In the late-night speech revealing the death of the elusive head of the militant Islamic group, President Obama said, “Justice has been done”.
His death, which officials in Pakistan say has been confirmed, will be seen as a huge symbolic blow to al Qaeda.
The news prompted jubilant flag-waving celebrations in Washington and New York. It was the biggest national security victory for Obama since he took office in early 2009 and could give him a political boost as he seeks re-election in 2012.
However the announcement is also likely to be met with some cynicism by observers who have long considered bin Laden dead.
For years now there have been reports that bin Laden was dead and that his alleged announcements were staged frauds to sustain tension in the “War on Terror”.
Those who share this view will see the announcement as confirmation that the pretence could no longer be convincingly sustained.
Also see: Bin Laden Already Dead