At last ... crowds go crazy at Ground Zero after hearing that Osama Bin Laden has been killed
JUBILANT Americans hoped they finally had the last laugh yesterday as Barack Obama sparked global celebrations for the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
The leader of the free world broke the news of the daring Special Forces raid in a dramatic TV speech.It sparked joy and relief right across America as excited crowds chanted "USA! USA!"
There were especially poignant scenes at Ground Zero in New York. It was the terrorist atrocity there in 2001 that sparked a relentless ten-year hunt for Bin Laden.
We got him ... President Obama breaks Bin Laden news on TV
The President related how the world's public enemy number one had been tracked down to a palatial hideaway in Pakistan.
Mr Obama revealed he then ordered US Special Forces to attack. Hailing the "courage and capability" of the strike force, he said: "They killed Osama Bin Laden and took custody of his body."
Reminding Americans how Bin Laden masterminded the brutal murder of nearly 3,000 innocent people on 9/11, Mr Obama went on: "The American people did not choose this fight.
Video: Obama: 'Justice has been done'
US President gives second statement concerning the death of Osama Bin Laden"It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens.
"After nearly ten years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war.
"Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defence of our citizens and our friends and allies.
"Let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 - we have never forgotten your loss nor wavered in our commitment to do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores."
The President stressed that the terror chief was also an enemy of millions of ordinary Muslims.
He said: "Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader, he was a mass murderer of Muslims. His demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity."
Parties began all over the States as the nation absorbed the news it had been desperate for since the day hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center.
Rudy Giuliani, the mayor of New York at the time of the 9/11 attacks, said: "I feel a great deal of satisfaction that justice has been done, and I admire the courage of the President to make a decision like this."
At Ground Zero, a crowd gathered through Sunday night to wave flags and sing patriotic songs.
A man held up a sign that read "Obama 1, Osama 0".
Prudencio Lemagne stood at the spot where his cop son David, 27, died on 9/11. The 67-year-old retired carpenter said: "There will never be peace in this world while there are people who hate, feel, and think like Osama Bin Laden.
"He is gone - but that will never bring my son back." Firefighter Michael Carroll, 27, whose father, also in the service, was killed on 9/11, said: "I never figured I'd be excited about someone's death. It's been a long time coming. It's finally here and it feels good."
Construction worker John Mazzola, 64, a worker on the city's new Freedom Tower, said: "Today is a fantastic day for New York City and the United States.
"It makes you feel proud to be American. We promised we would get this guy and that's just what we did. Osama was a monster and got what was coming to him."
Waiter James Vigliatura, 51, waved a Stars and Stripes flag and said: "I cried when I heard the news that we had finally got Osama. It took some time but we did it. He can't hurt anyone else.
"This is a great day to be American and to be in New York. It makes me so proud."
Construction worker Andy Sullivan, 45, said: "Good riddance.
"But we should have brought his body back to New York, where the city could have seen him." In Times Square, people broke into applause when a New York Fire Department vehicle drove by, flashed its lights and sounded its siren.
In Philadelphia, the Phillies baseball team were playing New York Mets when news reached fans.
Both sets of supporters broke into chants of "USA! USA!"
And in Washington, a huge crowd gathered in front of the White House. During a second address last night, Mr Obama said: "I think we can all agree this is a good day for America. Our country has kept its commitment to see that justice is done." He insisted: "The world is safer. It is a better place because of the death of Osama Bin Laden.
"As a nation, there is nothing we can't do when we put our shoulders to the wheel."
And he paid tribute to those who flocked to celebrate, calling them "people proud to live in the United States of America".
"After nearly ten years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war.
"Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defence of our citizens and our friends and allies.
Tragedy ... 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers
The President stressed that the terror chief was also an enemy of millions of ordinary Muslims.
He said: "Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader, he was a mass murderer of Muslims. His demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity."
Revenge ... firemen in New York see news of daring raid
Redux / eyevine Rudy Giuliani, the mayor of New York at the time of the 9/11 attacks, said: "I feel a great deal of satisfaction that justice has been done, and I admire the courage of the President to make a decision like this."
At Ground Zero, a crowd gathered through Sunday night to wave flags and sing patriotic songs.
A man held up a sign that read "Obama 1, Osama 0".
'Scorecard' ... reveller holds up celebratory sign
Victory ... New Yorkers cheer Bin Laden's death, in Times Square
"He is gone - but that will never bring my son back." Firefighter Michael Carroll, 27, whose father, also in the service, was killed on 9/11, said: "I never figured I'd be excited about someone's death. It's been a long time coming. It's finally here and it feels good."
Construction worker John Mazzola, 64, a worker on the city's new Freedom Tower, said: "Today is a fantastic day for New York City and the United States.
Video: Tony Blair on Bin Laden death
FORMER Prime Minister warns that 'battle with extremism is not over'
"This is a great day to be American and to be in New York. It makes me so proud."
Construction worker Andy Sullivan, 45, said: "Good riddance.
"But we should have brought his body back to New York, where the city could have seen him." In Times Square, people broke into applause when a New York Fire Department vehicle drove by, flashed its lights and sounded its siren.
In Philadelphia, the Phillies baseball team were playing New York Mets when news reached fans.
Both sets of supporters broke into chants of "USA! USA!"
Pride ... big crowd sings for joy in front of the White House
"As a nation, there is nothing we can't do when we put our shoulders to the wheel."
And he paid tribute to those who flocked to celebrate, calling them "people proud to live in the United States of America".
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