Bin Laden's death: Will bring Al Qaeda "eventual destruction," White House says

[jefferson_dem]

Bin Laden's death: Will bring Al Qaeda "eventual destruction," White House says
By Lynn Sweet on May 2, 2011 6:27 AM | No Comments

WASHINGTON--The killing of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. Special Forces on Sunday will set Al Qaeda on a "path of decline," a senior Obama administration said in a briefing just after midnight, leading the the "eventual destruction" of the terrorists.

"There's also no doubt that the death of Osama bin Laden marks the single greatest victory in the U.S.-led campaign to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda. It is a major and essential step in bringing about al Qaeda's eventual destruction," the official said.

The official went on to add:

"Bin Laden was al Qaeda's only .... commander in its 22-year history, and was largely responsible for the organization's mystique, its attraction among violent jihadists, and its focus on America as a terrorist target. As the only al Qaeda leader whose authority was universally respected, he also maintained his cohesion, and his likely successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri, is far less charismatic and not as well respected within the organization, according to comments from several captured al Qaeda leaders. He probably will have difficulty maintaining the loyalty of bin Laden's largely Gulf Arab followers.

"Although al Qaeda may not fragment immediately, the loss of bin Laden puts the group on a path of decline that will be difficult to reverse.

"And finally, it's important to note that it is most fitting that bin Laden's death comes at a time of great movement towards freedom and democracy that is sweeping the Arab world. He stood in direct opposition to what the greatest men and women throughout the Middle East and North Africa are risking their lives for: individual rights and human dignity."

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2011/05/bin_ladens_death_will_bring_al.html

[forty6]

1. YES !! Very fitting....coming from a Nobel Prize winning leader

of the free world.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Al Qaeda / The Base

was originally only about 15 people. It was the US which gave it growth and notoriety.

[DCBob]

3. That statement about OBL's death at a time of great uprisings in the Arab world is spot on..

The death of OBL is symbolic of the death of the significance of AQ in the Arab world. AQ/terrorism was not needed to force Mubarak out and is not involved in the other uprisings occurring across the ME. AQ is hardly mentioned of late. No doubt AQ will continue to attempt attacks but there is also no doubt AQ is in serious decline and headed for becoming an minor insignificant terrorist group.. imo.

[forty6]

4. I agree, and hope you're right about the "minor insignificant" part! n/t