WASHINGTON, May 2 � Osama bin Laden�s elimination is not just a long-awaited victory for the United States in the fight against terrorism but a significant and personal success for President Barack Obama, who is expected to shortly launch his bid for relection next year, reports PTI.
Obama, who has been keen on ending the US� war in Afghanistan, made the issue of killing the world�s most wanted terrorist the centre of his election campaign in 2008 along with several domestic issues. �We will kill bin Laden,� the now 49-year-old Obama bluntly declared during the days that preceded his election as the US President in November, 2008.
After he took over as President in January 2009, Obama never missed any opportunity to tell Americans that his administration was serious in eliminating bin Laden, who declared an open war against the US and killed thousands of Americans in terror attacks including the 9/11.
And, the killing of bin Laden, considered a major foreign policy success, would not have come at a better time for Obama as he is faced with criticism from Republicans and others over his foreign policy. Opinion polls have been saying that his popularity among Americans is decreasing day by day.
However, announcing the death of bin Laden at a rare late-night press conference at the East Room of the White House, Obama did not take personal credit for the success.
Obama, who has always insisted that terrorists across the world should be denied safe havens, dedicated the success to American soldiers and people.
The President also used the moment to remember the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and issued a renewed call for national unity.
�The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation�s effort to defeat al Qaeda,� Obama said in his speech.
He was cautious when he said bin Laden�s death does not mark the end of the US� effort. �There is no doubt that al-Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must � and we will � remain vigilant at home and abroad,� he said.
The US President also rightly used the opportunity to reaffirm the Islam world that the US is not at war with them. �As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not � and never will be � at war with Islam,� Obama said.
