President Obama: Osama bin Laden is dead

"It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory," Obama said. "His demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity."

Obama stated that following the Sept. 11 attacks, despite religion, race or ethnicity, the nation was united, "As one American family. We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice."

The United States, he said, "Went to war with al-Qaeda. Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides in that effort ... Shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al-Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle and defeat his network. Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this threat to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden, hiding in a compound located deep inside Pakistan."

Recently, Obama said, enough information was gathered so that action could be taken. 

  "Finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan," Obama said. "A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body."

Obama said that bin Laden was the leader and symbol against the war on the United states and that his death marks "the most significant achievement to date in our nation's efforts to defeat al-Qaeda. His death does not mark the end of our effort. There is no doubt al-Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us, 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. I have made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam, that bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al-Qaeda 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."

Obama said that he has said that the United States would take action once they were able to determine where bin Laden was, and that it was cooperation with Pakistan that led officials to the compound where he was ultimately found and killed. Bin Laden had declared war against the Pakistani people, as well, Obama said. 

"Tonight, I called (Pakistani) President (Asif Ali) Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts," Obama said. "They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations, and going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al-Qaeda and its affiliates." 

These efforts by so many have ultimately led to justice, Obama said.

"The American people did not choose this fight," Obama said. "It came to our shores and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander in Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who has been gravely wounded. So Americans know the costs of war. Yet, as a country, we will never tolerate being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. 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, and on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al-Qaeda's terror, 'Justice has been done.'"

Thanks needs to be given, Obama said, to the unseen work of the counterterrorism and intelligence people who worked for such justice can be served, as well as military members who carried out the operations. 

In closing, Obama said the the families who lost loved ones in 9/11 that the country has never forgotten the loss, "nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores. And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know it has at times frayed, yet 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. Tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it is the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens, our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place. Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

CNN is also reporting that the U.S. has been placed on a high terror alert, in preparation for possible retaliatory response.