Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, is dead, and the United States has possession of his body.

“Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that has killed Osama bin Laden,” President Barack Obama said moments ago in an address to the nation. “… Justice has been done.”

Obama said a “small team of Americans” carried out the operation earlier today against a compound deep in Pakistan where bin Laden was hiding. The United States first received intelligence about the compound in August, and last week, Obama authorized a strike.

Bin Laden was killed during a firefight, and the United States has possession of his body, Obama said.

Update, 10:15 p.m.

Here’s a statement from former President George W. Bush:

“Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude. 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.”