US forces kill Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan

Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden has been killed by US forces at his compound in north-west Pakistan.

The news of his death has drawn reaction from around the world. Here are some key quotes.

US President Barack Obama

Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children. > US President Barack Obama confirms the death of Osama Bin Laden

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.

Yet 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.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not - and never will be - at war with Islam.

Former US President George W Bush

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 September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.

Former US President Bill Clinton

This is a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in al-Qaeda's other attacks but for people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and co-operation for our children.

I congratulate the president, the National Security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama Bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaeda attacks.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

After September 11, 2001, we gave our word as Americans that we would stop at nothing to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden. After the contribution of millions, including so many who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, we have kept that word.

New Yorkers have waited nearly 10 years for this news. It is my hope that it will bring some closure and comfort to all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.

House Speaker John Boehner

This is great news for the security of the American people and a victory in our continued fight against al-Qaeda and radical extremism around the world.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai

We hope that the terrorists' activities will be stopped after Osama Bin Laden's death which was his punishment.

And as well, the world should realise what we have repeatedly said all these years and every single day, that the war against terrorism should not be followed in the villages of Afghanistan.

The war against terrorism is not in the houses of innocent Afghan civilians. The fight against terrorism is not in bombing children and women in Afghanistan. The war against terrorism should be carried out in his safe haven, sanctuary and his training camp, not in Afghanistan, and today this has been proved right.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani

We will not allow our soil to be used against any other country for terrorism and therefore I think it's a great victory, it's a success and I congratulate the success of this operation.

Pakistan foreign ministry

Osama Bin Laden's death illustrates the resolve of the international community, including Pakistan, to fight and eliminate terrorism. It constitutes a major setback to terrorist organisations around the world.

Indian foreign ministry

The world must not let down its united effort to overcome terrorism and eliminate the safe havens and sanctuaries that have been provided to terrorists in our own neighbourhood. The struggle must continue unabated.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron

The news that Osama Bin Laden is dead will bring great relief to people across the world.

Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the worst terrorist atrocities the world has seen - for 9/11 and for so many attacks, which have cost thousands of lives, many of them British.

It is a great success that he has been found and will no longer be able to pursue his campaign of global terror.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair

My heartfelt gratitude to President Obama and to all of those who so brilliantly undertook and executed this operation. We should never forget 9/11 was also the worst ever terrorist attack against UK civilians, and our thoughts are with all those - American, British and from nations across the world - who lost their lives and with their loved ones who remain and who live with their loss.

9/11 was an attack not just on the United States, but on all those who shared the best values of civilisation.

The operation shows those who commit acts of terror against the innocent will be brought to justice, however long it takes.

So this is a huge achievement in the fight against terrorism but we know the fight against the terrorism and the ideology that Bin Laden represents continues and is as urgent as ever.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy

The scourge of terrorism has suffered a historic defeat but it's not the end of al-Qaeda.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

The US military has achieved a decisive blow against al-Qaeda with its commando action against Osama Bin Laden and his killing.

Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people. Terror was brought to many countries on his direct orders and in his name, against men, women and children, Christians and Muslims. Osama Bin Laden claimed to be acting in the name of Islam, but in reality he made a mockery of the basic values of his and all other religions.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

This is a great result for the United States but also for all democracies. I think that we should not lower our guard because this could provoke reactions in the world of terrorism.

Spanish government

The government considers the death of Osama Bin Laden... to be a decisive step in the fight against international terrorism. The government reiterates its commitment to co-operating with the United States and other nations in the fight against terrorism wherever it is developed or carried out.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague

I think people throughout the world will be relieved about this news and we congratulate the United States on ending the reign of terror of Osama Bin Laden himself.

Of course it does not mean that we should not be vigilant against terrorism it does not mean the work of all those involved in trying to prevent terrorism is over, but it is a very important step.

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek

We have woken up in a more secure world.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul

This shows that terrorists and terrorist group leaders in the end are caught whether dead or alive. The most dangerous and sophisticated terrorist organisation leader in the world being caught this way should be a lesson to everyone.

Russia

The Kremlin welcomes the serious success the United States achieved in the war against international terrorism. Retribution inevitably reaches all terrorists.

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

This is a resounding triumph for justice, freedom and the values shared by all democratic nations fighting shoulder to shoulder in determination against terrorism.

Israeli President Shimon Peres

It is a great piece of news for the free world, it is a great achievement for the security forces of the United States of America, it is a great achievement for the president of the United States, Barack Obama.

This man was a mega-murderer, he killed thousands and thousands of people, people who were totally innocent. He tried to murder people and murder nations including the State of Israel. He reached his end.

Terrorists and murderers are so dangerous. We shouldn't fall victim to believe that they are immune. They are weak, they are wrong, they are foolish and we should not stop fighting them - day and night.

Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib

Getting rid of Bin Laden is good for the cause of peace worldwide but what counts is to overcome the discourse and the methods - the violent methods - that were created and encouraged by Bin Laden and others in the world.

Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas administration in Gaza Strip

We condemn the assassination and the killing of an Arab holy warrior. We regard this as a continuation of the American policy based on oppression and the shedding of Muslim and Arab blood.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki

The killing of Osama has taken place nearly 13 years after the terrorist bombings in Nairobi that led to the death of over 200 people, in an act believed to have been masterminded by Osama. His killing is an act of justice to those Kenyans who lost their lives and the many more who suffered injuries.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga

Kenyans are happy and thank the US people, the Pakistani people and everybody else who managed to kill Osama. Osama's death can only be positive for Kenya, but we need to have a stable government in Somalia.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan

We welcome this significant progress in counter-terrorism measures, and I pay respect to the efforts by the officials concerned, including those in the United States and Pakistan.

As a responsible member of the international community, we will continue being thorough in our anti-terrorism measures and making active and responsible contributions to its efforts.

Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard

Whilst al-Qaeda has been hurt today, al-Qaeda is not finished. Our war against terrorism must continue. We continue to be engaged in Afghanistan so that that country does not again become a haven for terrorists.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key

Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, including New Zealanders, in several different parts of the world.

While his removal will not necessarily bring an immediate end to terrorist activity, I have absolutely no doubt that the world is a safer place without Osama Bin Laden.