The Pakistani foreign ministry released a statement Monday on the death of Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Although the government was unaware of the United States’ plans to enter the country and capture Bin Laden, the ministry did not condemn the mission.
"Osama bin Laden's death illustrates the resolve of the international community, including Pakistan, to fight and eliminate terrorism. It constitutes a major setback to terrorist organizations around the world,” the ministry said in a statement.
"It is Pakistan's stated policy that it will not allow its soil to be used in terrorist attacks against any country," the ministry added. "Pakistan's political leadership, parliament, state institutions and the whole nation are fully united in their resolve to eliminate terrorism."
In an announcement Sunday night, President Obama made no apologies about ordering the mission without asking for permission from the Pakistani government. "Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done. But it's important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people,” he said, adding that Pakistani President Zardari agreed “this is a good and historic day for both our nations.”
Bin Laden, a mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, was killed Sunday in a mansion in Abbottabad by a team of U.S. Special Forces. Officials believe the mansion was built in 2005 for the purpose of hiding him.
DNA samples and photographs were taken to officially identify Bin Laden’s body. In adherence to Muslim customs, Bin Laden was buried within 24 hours of his death.
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