The US Ambassador in London Louis B. Susman has called for greater vigilance by American citizens in London, and for an escalation of security measures at the US Embassy in Mayfair, following the capture of Osama Bin Laden by US special forces in Pakistan.
In a BBC interview Louis Zusman the US Ambassador to London refused to confirm that Osama Bin Laden had been buried at sea, in accordance with Muslim tradition a 24 hour burial of a person's death.
The Foreign Secretary William Hague has also requested British Embassies across the world increase security.
US President Obama made a statement at 4:30am GMT on US television and said:
"Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body."
Thousands of US citizens celebrated the news that OSama Bin Laden had been killed with dancing in Time Square and crowds gathering outside of The White House.
President Obama said:
"Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.
"As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.
