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.<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0announcement ends a nearly 10-year worldwide hunt for the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.<\/span><\/p>\n After announcing bin Laden\u2019s death, the US State Department issued a global travel alert for Americans, warning them of \u201cenhanced potential for anti-American violence,” Reuters reported.<\/span><\/p>\n “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.<\/span><\/p>\n In the late-night speech revealing the death of the elusive head of the militant Islamic group, President Obama said, “Justice has been done”.<\/span><\/p>\n His death, which officials in Pakistan say has been confirmed, will be seen as a huge symbolic blow to al Qaeda.<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0news 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.<\/span><\/p>\n However the announcement is also\u00a0likely to be met with some cynicism by observers who have long considered bin Laden dead.<\/span><\/p>\n 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 \u201cWar on Terror\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n