President rallies his people for war ‘still to be won’

President Barack Obama took to America’s television screens yesterday to announce the death of Osama bin Laden.

In a sombre but gripping speech to the nation, he said: “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-Qaida, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”

Referring to bin Laden’s most infamous act, Obama said: “It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history.

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“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.”

He said the worst images had been “unseen to the world... The empty seat at the dinner table. Children forced to grow up without their mother or father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace.”

He said American had been forced to “go to war” against al-Qaida, and that hunting down bin Laden had been his top priority.

“For over two decades, bin Laden has been al-Qaida’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies,” he said.

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“The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al-Qaida.

“Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must – and we will – remain vigilant at home and abroad.”

The President concluded with reassuring words for the families of those killed in the 9/11 attacks.

“We have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores,” he said. “The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to.”

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