UN Security Council, Ban Ki-moon Welcome Bin Laden’s Death

The United Nations Security Council applauded the news of Osama bin Laden’s death, which Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon called a “watershed moment” in the fight against global terrorism.

“The Security Council welcomes the news on May 1, 2011, that Osama bin Laden will never again be able to perpetrate” acts of terrorism, the statement by the UN’s principal policy- making panel said today.

The statement, drafted by the U.S., was read in the Security Council chamber by Ambassador Gerard Araud of France, which holds the rotating presidency of the panel this month. The statement said bin Laden’s demise was a “critical development” in the fight against terrorism.

The council said that “terrorism will not be defeated by military force, law enforcement measures and intelligence operations alone,” citing the need to address the “conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism.”

Ban, in a statement at UN headquarters in New York, said the “crimes of al-Qaeda touched most continents, bringing tragedy and loss of life to thousands of men, women and children. I am very much relieved by the news that justice has been done to such a mastermind of international terrorism.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Bill Varner at the United Nations at wvarner@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net