Reactions from global leaders have flooded in following news of the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai told RTA TV: “If the international troops are the true allies of Afghans, now they should come up to say that killing of the Afghans, women, children and elders was not a good idea in the last many years as it was happening on a daily basis.”

Afghan opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah, Hope and Change leader
Abdullah Abdullah, the leader of Afghanistan’s opposition Hope and Change party, told CNN: “Killing of Osama bin Laden is pleasant news for Afghans, and now it’s proven that al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations are not based in Afghanistan and Pakistan is a haven for them.”

“I don’t think that this is the end of the story and everything will not go back to peace in Afghanistan as al Qaeda has put their web much wider in Afghanistan and across the world.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron
He said: “Osama bin Laden was responsible for the worst terrorist atrocities the world has seen - for 9/11 and for so many attacks, which have cost thousands of lives.”

“This is a time to remember all those murdered by Osama bin Laden, and all those who lost loved ones. It is also a time too to thank all those who work round the clock to keep us safe from terrorism.”

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
Westerwelle said bin Laden as “one of the most brutal terrorists” in the world.
He told CNN: “He has the lives of thousands of innocent people on his conscience. That a stop could be put to this terrorist’s bloody trade is good news for all free-living and free-thinking people in the world.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“Israel joins in the joy of the American people on this historic day in which Osama bin Laden was killed. ... This is a resounding victory for justice, freedom and for the joint values of all the countries that fight side by side determinedly against terror,” he told CNN.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry
The Pakistani foreign ministry issued a statement saying: “In an intelligence driven operation, Osama bin Laden was killed in the surroundings of Abbotabad in the early hours of this morning. This operation was conducted by the U.S. forces in accordance with declared U.S. policy that Osama bin Laden will be eliminated in a direct action by the U.S. forces, wherever found in the world.”

“Earlier today, President Obama telephoned President Zardari on the successful U.S. operation which resulted in killing of Osama bin Laden.”

Turkish President Abdullah Gul
At a news conference, he said: “Terrorists and leaders of terrorists are captured alive or dead sooner or later. It should teach a lesson that the leader of the world’s most dangerous and sophisticated terrorist organization is captured this way.”

Yemeni government official
A government official described the death of Osama bin Laden as “a truly historic moment.”
“We welcome the news ... millions of people will sleep in peace tonight,” the official said. “Osama bin Laden was more of a symbolic figure, a spiritual leader for al Qaeda.”