Osama Bin Laden is Dead; President Calls it 'Justice;' America Rejoices

President Barack Obama announced on Sunday that the Osama Bin Laden, the Al Qaeda leader and terrorist largely responsible for the 1993 and 2001 attacks on The World Trade Center, was captured and killed by a U.S. operations. No Americans were harmed.

“This is a good and historic day for both of our nations,” said President Obama during the surprising, yet brief late-night announcement.

“As a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened or stand idly by when our people have been killed. Justice has been done," the president said. “We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are

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“Today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people. The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight we are once again reminded that we can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history.”

Nearly 3,000 American citizens were lost in the fall of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.  And for almost 10 years Bin Laden, 54, remained in hiding and on the FBI's Most Wanted Fugitives List.

Finally, following eight months of planning following intelligence of Bin Laden’s whereabouts and through military action by a small team of U.S. Navy Seals, the U.S. captured Bin Laden and took custody of his body.

“The United States is not and never will be at war with Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. So his demise should be welcomed by anyone who believes in peace and human dignity.”

Bin Laden was found hiding out in a mansion compound in Abbottabad, a suburb of Pakistan between the Afghanistan and Pakistan border. The mansion was located 80 miles from the Pakistani capital of Islamabad and was well guarded.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy released the following statement following the news that Osama bin Laden has been killed.

"The news tonight that Osama bin Laden has been killed is 10 years in the making. As mayor of Stamford on 9/11, I remember waiting on the train platform there as scared, confused, and overwhelmed commuters made their way home, none of us fully understanding what had just happened. I also cannot forget the Connecticut residents we lost that day. Over the last decade, Connecticut men and women have served our country honorably, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. This news is a testament to the hard work, dedication and perseverance of our Armed Forces and our country."

“I think the most important news we've heard tonight is the fact that we lost no troops, no American soldiers,” said Kenny Specht, a 13-year FDNY Lieutenant.

Specht witnessed the collapse of the World Trade Center, and then spent months with the cleanup efforts at Ground Zero.

“I’m proud to be an American. I’m proud of the professional operations. And I know I speak for every member of the NYC Fire Department when I say I hope to God he rots in hell.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Sunday night, "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," Bloomberg said.

New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says that the killing was a “welcomed milestone” for the friends and families of the victims of the Sept. 11attacks. He also addressed the concern by many of retaliation, stating his department will remain vigilant in maintaining a high level of security in the Big Apple.ed.

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