World Leaders React to bin Laden's Death‎

Americans celebrated on the streets and U.S. markets rallied on hopes bin Laden's death could ease the threats hanging over much of the developed world -- but even President Barack Obama said that terrorist attacks would continue to be a concern.

World leaders are reacting to the news of the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Former U.S. president George W. Bush called bin Laden's death a "momentous achievement." Bush was president when when al-Qaida attacked the U.S. on September 11, 2001.

The Sept. 11 attacks were a defining moment of Bush's presidency. He launched the war in Afghanistan and the hunt for bin Laden spanned the rest of his presidency. His statement:

"Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al-Qaida network that attacked America on September 11, 2001.

Some security experts fear the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks could further incite al Qaeda supporters.

"Whilst we in the West might have the satisfaction of justice having been dealt to a terrorist, many will still see Osama bin Laden as a martyr. Make no mistake: violent jihadists will react to this," Julian Lindley-French of London's Chatham House think-tank told Reuters Insider television.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said bin Laden's death in neighboring Pakistan proves Kabul's long-standing position that the war on terror was not rooted in Afghanistan. Karzai also urged the Afghan Taliban to refrain from fighting.

In the United States, jubilant crowds gathered outside the White House in Washington, and Times Square in New York - as well as what is known as "ground zero" - to celebrate bin Laden's death.

Oh God, please make this news not true... God curse you Obama," said one message on an Arabic language forum. "Oh Americans... it is still legal for us to cut your necks."

"Osama may be killed but his message of Jihad will never die. Brothers and sisters, wait and see, his death will be a blessing in disguise," said a poster on another Islamist forum.