President Obama Announces Assassination of Osama bin Laden

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Almost a decade after he orchestrated the most deadly terrorist attack on U.S. soil, Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden is dead. In the late hours of Sunday, May 1, President Barack Obama announced in a televised address to the nation that bin Laden was shot to death following a shoot out with a small, elite group of Navy SEALs in Abbottabad, a suburb outside Islamabad, Pakistan.?

According to the President, information of bin Laden's whereabouts reached the White House in August. For months, the President and his aids verified this information and crafted a perfectly planned ambush. No Americans were harmed in the shootout and bin Laden's body was taken into U.S. custody to confirm his identity.

After confirmation, his body was buried at sea in accordance with Islamic law that a body must be buried no more than 24 hours following death. According to the White House counterterrorism advisor John Brennan, Obama and his national security team watched the attack in real time from a live feed. In anxious silence, the President relaxed only when the SEALs and bin Laden's body were off-sight.

"It was probably one of the most anxiety-filled periods of time, I think, in the lives of the people who were assembled here yesterday," Brennan said. "The minutes passed like days, and the president was very concerned about the security of our personnel."

Before addressing the nation, Obama contacted former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush with the news. Following the announcement, the nation erupted in public displays of Patriotism.?

Outside the White House, thousands waved American flags, sang the national anthem, and cheered for freedom. Thousands of New Yorkers also gathered around Ground Zero, remembering the day the towers fell.?

During his speech to the nation, Obama noted, "For over two decades, bin Laden has been Al-Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat Al-Qaeda."

Obama was quick to point out, however, "his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that Al-Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must ? and we will ? remain vigilant at home and abroad."

Obama reiterated the United States' position in the war against terror. "The United States is not ? and never will be ? at war with Islam. I've made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, Al-Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity."?

Remembering those who had lost their lives on 9/11 and the loved ones they had left behind, Obama stated, "we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores."

There is a global travel advisory for Americans and although officials warned Al Qaeda may retaliate there are no direct threats in the imminent future.?

Source: http://www.trinitytripod.com/news/president-obama-announces-assassination-of-osama-bin-laden-1.2217212

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