'Osama was a murderer, he received his sentence'

Former United States presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton on Monday congratulated President Barack Obama for bringing Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to justice.

"This is a profoundly important moment not just for the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in Al Qaeda's other attacks but for the people all over the world who want to build a common future of peace, freedom, and cooperation for our children," Bill Clinton said in a statement.

"I congratulate the President, the National Security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous Al Qaeda attacks," Clinton said.

Obama called Clinton and his predecessor Bush before making the announcement of bin Laden's death to the nation and to the world.

Israel, a key ally of United States in the Middle East, welcomed the news of bin Laden's killing, saying it "shares the joy of the American people on this historical day".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the US operation a "resounding victory for justice, freedom, and the values shared by all democratic countries fighting shoulder to shoulder against terror."

Israel's octogenarian Nobel laureate President Shimon Peres also praised the killing of bin Laden, calling it a great achievement for the US defence establishment, US President Barack Obama and the free world, Israel Radio reported.

"Bin Laden was one of the biggest murderers in history and he received his sentence," Peres stated.

"The world can breathe a sigh of relief at seeing the punishment he received, despite the fact that justice was late in coming," he added.

Former US President George W Bush said that the killing of Laden is a momentous occasion for the US.

"Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the Al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001," said Bush, who had set the US goal of capturing bin Laden dead or alive soon after 9/11.

"I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude," Bush said.

"This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001," he said.

"The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done," Bush added.