World cheers bin Laden's death as victory

THE death of Osama bin Laden was celebrated around the world as a victory for justice, but many people cautioned that it would not end terrorist attacks or ease suffering of those who lost loved ones in bombings by Al-Qaeda-linked militants. Spontaneous, celebratory rallies broke out in New York City at ground zero, where the twin towers fell on Sept 11, 2001 and outside the White House where President Barack Obama made the historic announcement.
At the same time, US embassies across the globe were placed on high alert and Americans warned about possible reprisals for the death of the man who masterminded the Sept 11 attacks.
'Al-Qaeda will continue,' said Haroun Mir, an Afghan analyst in Kabul, who added that the death in a raid on a mansion in Pakistan vindicated longtime allegations by Afghanistan that bin Laden enjoyed 'safe havens' in the neighbouring country.
Chairul Akbar, secretary general of the anti-terrorism agency in Indonesia - the world's most populous Muslim nation and a frequent Al-Qaeda target - expressed jubilation about the news. Attacks blamed on Al-Qaeda-linked militants have killed more than 260 people in Indonesia, many of them foreign tourists.
'We welcome the death of one of the world's most dangerous men and highly appreciate the United States' help in crushing this global enemy,' he said. 'He couldn't be allowed to live. He helped spread a dangerous ideology all over the world, including in IndonesiaAL-QAEDA leader Osama bin Laden was killed on Sunday, in a US-led operation near Islamabad, Pakistan. Here are some reactions of various governments to his death:
- The European Union said Osama's death was a 'major achievement' in the fight to eliminate terrorism that made the world 'a safer place'.
- Japan, a key US ally, welcomed the death of Osama and said it would step up security at military bases in case of possible reprisal attacks.
- Iraq is 'delighted' by the news that Osama has been killed, the Iraqi Foreign Minister said, noting that thousands of Iraqis had died 'because of his ideologies'
- Yemen, Osama's ancestral homeland, welcomed his death as 'the beginning of the end of terror'.
- Pakistan said that the killing of Osama was a 'major setback' for terroristorganisations and a 'major victory' in the country's fight against militancy.
- Turkey expressed 'great satisfaction' Monday at the killing, saying it should serve as an 'example'.
- Malaysia said Osama's death could take the world towards 'greater peace and universal harmony.'