Obama: Bin Laden is Dead

Osama bin Laden was killed in a United States-led military operation, President Obama announced Sunday night, and the U.S. took possession of his body. 

Bin Laden was later buried at sea in accordance with Islamic custom that burials take place within 24 hours. The at-sea burial was carried out because U.S. officials did not want his burial place to become a shrine for terrorists.

The president traced the death of bin Laden to a tip received last August. He said he was briefed at the time on the “possible lead,” and that after months of intelligence work it was determined bin Laden was hiding in a compound “deep” inside Pakistan. Obama said he authorized the operation last week.

He said a “small team" of U.S. Special Forces went after bin Laden by helicopter in Abbottabad on Sunday. “After a firefight, they killed Usama bin Laden and took custody of his body,” the president said.

Officials say bin Laden was armed with an automatic weapon, which he fired on the Special Forces team.

No Americans were harmed.

Bin Laden's death "marks the most significant achievement to date" in the United States' efforts to fight terrorism, Obama said. The Al-Qaeda leader, who claimed to be behind the deadly attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was "responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children.

"Justice has been done," said the president.

In reaction to the news, the Aviation Authority and the Transportation Security Administration have heightened security at Tampa International Airport, although there will be no impact to the airport's operations.

The airport will continue its ongoing security initiatives designed to add
additional layers of protection for the traveling public.  As with all security
measures, there is a combination of visible security, as well as other
initiatives and procedures happening behind the scenes. Passengers at all of
the nation's airports may see an increased law enforcement presence along with
the K-9 detection teams.