US forces kill bin Laden ; World's most wanted man hunted down to hideaway in Pakistan

The death of the world's most wanted man came just months beforethe 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World TradeCentre and Pentagon, orchestrated by bin Laden's al-Qaidaorganisation, that killed more than 3,000 people.

Former president George Bush, who was in office on the day of theattacks, issued a statement hailing bin Laden's death as a momentousachievement.

He said: "The fight against terror goes on, but tonight Americahas sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes,justice will be done."

Mr Obama said he ordered the operation after receivingundisclosed intelligence information.

Senior US administration officials said the terrorist mastermindwas found inside a custom-built compound with two security gates.They said it appeared to have been constructed to harbour one high-value target and officials became clear the hideout was bin Laden's.

Based on statements by US detainees, intelligence officials haveknown for years that bin Laden trusted one al-Qaida courier inparticular and believed he might be living with him in hiding.

Last November, intelligence officials found out where he wasliving in a huge fortified compound. It was surrounded by walls ashigh as 18ft, topped with barbed wire. There were two security gatesand no phone or internet running into the house.

Officials believed the million-dollar home was custom-built tohide a major terrorist.

CIA experts analysed whether it could be anyone else, but timeand again, they decided it was almost certainly bin Laden.

Officials also said they believe the death puts al-Qaida on apath of decline that will be difficult to reverse, but there was noword on the whereabouts of bin Laden's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahri.

The attacks a decade ago seemed to come out of nowhere, eventhough al-Qaida had previously damaged American targets overseas.

The terrorists hijacked planes, flew one of them into one ofManhattan's Twin Towers -- and, moments later, into the other one.

Both buildings collapsed, trapping thousands and claiming thelives of firefighters and others who had rushed to help them.

A third plane slammed into the Pentagon, defacing the symbol ofAmerica's military might.

A fourth crashed in rural Pennsylvania after passengersoverpowered the hijackers and forced the craft from the air beforeit could hit its intended target in Washington.

Mr Obama spoke to Mr Bush and former president Bill Clinton lastnight to inform them of the developments.

He struck a less than boastful tone in his brief announcementalthough he said the death of bin Laden was "the most significantachievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al-Qaida".

"His death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubtal-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and wewill remain vigilant," he said.

Moments after he spoke, American officials cautioned that theevents could lead to heightened threats against the United States.

CAPTION: Clockwise from main picture: Crowds gather outside theWhite House to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden, FDNYfirefighter Aaron Clark looks on from atop a firetruck as peoplecelebrate in Times Square, crowds gather in Times Square uponhearing the news of bin Laden's death getty/ap