U.S. Troops Kill Osama Bin Laden, President Says

President Barack Obama confirmed just before midnight Sunday that U.S. troops killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

The president addressed the nation in a televised speech from the East Wing of the White House.

"I can report to the American people and to the world, that the U.S. has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden," Obama said.

"Shortly after taking office, I directed … the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority," said the president. "At my direction, the U.S. launched a targeted operation … No Americans were harmed …After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden."

Obama said the special forces took possession of bin Laden's body after the shootout.

"The US is not – and never will be – at war with Islam … bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims," said the president.

"To the families of 9/11, we have never forgotten your loss," Obama said