Posted on 06/08/2006 3:52:40 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
World leaders, including Prime Minister John Howard, are hailing the killing of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as a significant breakthrough for Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has announced that Zarqawi "has been eliminated" in an airstrike on a safe house in Baquba, 60 kilometres north of Baghdad.
"What happened ... is the result of collaboration from people who facilitated the operation conducted by Iraqi police and multinational forces," Mr Maliki said.
"This is a message to those who choose the path of violence to change their direction before it is too late.
"I thank our forces, our police and the multinational forces for what they are doing in pursuing the terrorists."
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh says the death is an "important victory".
But he underlines that his country must not ease off efforts to eliminate terrorist threats.
"Zarqawi represents the evil of terrorism and he has been responsible for death and mayhem against the people of Iraq," Mr Saleh said.
"Having him killed, we have achieved an important victory.
"[But] we cannot be complacent about the rest of the Zarqawi group.
"We still have to be determined to root them out."
'Great news'
Mr Howard says the death is great news for the people of Iraq.
He says not only does the death remove a cruel terrorist, it is also a huge boost for anti-terrorist forces in Iraq.
Mr Howard says the determination of the Iraqi Prime Minister to confront terrorism is something everyone will support.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair agrees Zarqawi's death is "very good news", because a blow against Al-Qaeda in Iraq is "a blow against Al Qaeda everywhere".
"The Prime Minister told the Cabinet that this was a very important moment in Iraq," a spokesman in Mr Blair's office said.
"The Prime Minister congratulated the Iraqi, US and UK forces, along with the rest of the coalition, for all they are doing in Iraq to support the new democratically-elected government," the spokesman said.
The US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, says Zarqawi's death is a "good omen ... for our overall efforts in the global war against terror".
"Today is a good day. There will be difficult days ahead but together Iraqis and coalition forces will fight terrorists and those who want Iraq to fail," he said.
Adviser killed
General George W Casey Jr, the head of US-led forces in Iraq, says as well as Zarqawi, the airstrike killed spiritual adviser Sheikh Abdel Rahman.
He says Zarqawi's death "is a significant blow to Al-Qaeda and another step toward defeating terrorism in Iraq".
"Tips and intelligence from Iraqi senior leaders from his network led forces to al-Zarqawi and some of his associates, who were conducting a meeting approximately eight kilometers north of Baquba, when the air strike was launched," he said.
"Iraqi police were first on the scene after the air strike, and elements of Multinational Division North, arrived shortly thereafter.
"Coalition forces were able to identify al-Zarqawi by fingerprint verification, facial recognition and known scars."
Zarqawi, who had a $US25 million bounty on his head, is blamed for a string of attacks, kidnappings and beheadings that have bedevilled Iraq in its transition to democracy since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Death 'deserved'
The brother of Ken Bigley, a British engineer beheaded by Zarqawi's group, says the militant leader should rot in hell.
"The man was an animal and he deserved what he got. And may he rot in hell," Paul Bigley told Channel Four television.
Zarqawi's followers captured Ken Bigley, held him for weeks and filmed his beheading in 2004.
His body has not been recovered.
"He's gone. The world has rid themselves of a very bad person," Paul Bigley said.
"So he thinks he's going to paradise? I'm convinced the man is in hell."
Zarqawi's family has refused to comment on his death but a friend in his native Jordan hails it as an "honour"
"If he has really been martyred it would be his wish come-true and an honour," Firas Riyalat, a merchant and Islamist from the northern Jordanian town of Salt, said.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
It's a great thing to wake up to.
As I told you before once I'm home I'm going to pop the cork on my Talisker and have a small snort before I'm off to bed.
I'll double that small snort in your honor.
L
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
There are a lot of happy non-muzzys in the world today. Now if the rat Osama would just stick his head out for a moment....but all things in their own time....
This is great news. Now I want to hear they got Zawahiri.
I'm kinda looking forward to Bin Ladens next rant now.
Ding-dong Zarqawi's dead
Which Zarqawi? The wicked Zarqawi
Ding-dong Zarqawi's dead
Wake up you sleepyhead
Rub your eyes, get out of bed
Wake up, Zarqawi's dead
He's gone where the goblins go
Below - below - below
Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out
Ding Dong' the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low
Let them know Zarqawi's dead
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
Word is the dung beatles are celebrating, too!
Don't forget the HAM sandwich...or a side of PORK!!! :)
Killed by enemy forces. Hmmm. Sorry, no 72 virgins for you, Mr. Zarqawi!
Great news of course!
Congratulations and thanks to Australia for your steady hand and wise counsel in the war on terror. We are a stronger alliance for your presence.
John Howard is a world class leader....a great man!
I second that!
Good!
Great. That is funny! Thanks
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