The al-Qa'ida leader Osama bin Laden has been killed in a firefight with US forces in Pakistan

The al-Qa'ida leader Osama bin Laden has been killed in a firefight with US forces in Pakistan, President Barack Obama announced today.

The killing ending a nearly 10-year worldwide hunt for the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Justice has been done," Obama said in a hastily called, late-night White House speech revealing the death of the elusive head of the militant Islamic group behind a series of bloody attacks in cities across the world.

His death, confirmed by officials in Pakistan, was a huge symbolic blow to al Qaeda, which has been beaten back but is still a threat in many countries.

It prompted jubilant flag-waving celebrations in Washington and New York. It was the biggest national security victory for Obama since he took office in early 2009 and could give him a political boost as he seeks re-election in 2012.