Former US President George W. Bush has said that his “War on Terror” would continue despite the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
“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 said in a statement on Monday. He made the remarks after US President Barack Obama called him in Dallas to inform him that bin Laden was dead, a Bush spokesman said. Obama said in a televised speech late Sunday that US forces conducted an operation that killed the leader of al-Qaeda in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Analysts and military experts believe that the United States delayed the killing of bin Laden to continue the presence of US-led forces in war-torn Afghanistan, a Press TV correspondent reported. US House Speaker John Boehner also said, “We continue to face a complex and evolving terrorist threat, and it is important that we remain vigilant in our efforts to confront and defeat the terrorist enemy and protect the American people.” The so-called “War on Terror,” was introduced by Bush following the September 11, 2001 attacks on US soil. Under Bush, the US invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 under the pretext to hunt down the al-Qaeda leader, who claimed responsibility for the terrorist assault, and to bring peace and stability to the country. However, the US has failed to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan and militants are making gains 10 years after the invasion. Analysts and military experts believe that the United States had delayed the killing of bin Laden to continue the presence of US-led forces in war-torn Afghanistan, a Press TV correspondent reported. The lack of transparency over bin Laden’s death has cast further doubt over the announcement. Meanwhile, a US official says bin Laden’s body has been buried at sea, alleging that his hasty burial was in accordance with Islamic law, which requires burial within 24 hours of death. This is while burial at sea is not an Islamic practice and Islam does not determine a timeframe for burial. The official added that finding a country willing to accept the remains of the world’s most wanted man was difficult, so the US decided to bury him at sea.
