Navy SEALs Kill Bin Laden: Officials Say

Osama bin Laden has been killed during a U.S. operation in Pakistan, the president announced Sunday night.

"After a firefight they (U.S. troops) killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body,” President Barack Obama said in a live address to the nation.

The president said no Americans were hurt in the operation.

"For over two decades, bin Laden has been Al Qaeda’s leader and symbol," the president said in a statement televised around the world. "The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat Al Qaeda. But his death does not mark the end of our effort. . . . We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad."

The death of the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists attacks comes nearly a decade later.

"His demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity," he said, adding: "And on nights like this one, we can say to families who have lost loved ones to al-Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done."

Obama praised the special forces personnel who took part in the operation, who included U.S. Navy SEALs.

Remarks from the president's televised address included:

"Good evening.  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.

"It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction. . . .

"So Americans understand 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 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.

"Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

"We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

"Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores."