Statement By Ambassador Murphy on Death of Osama Bin Laden

Bin Laden's demise is a victory for all human beings who seek to live in peace, security, and dignity.  He dedicated his life to destroying innocent lives and human progress.  His death will ultimately make us all safer, and empower those around the world who seek to build, not destroy.

Bin Laden was responsible for the deaths on September 11, 2001 of thousands of innocents from 80 countries, and he was responsible for other attacks elsewhere in the world on men, women and children of many nationalities and faiths.  We take this opportunity to remember the victims of Bin Laden and al Qaeda from many countries all around the world, including Germany.  We mourn their deaths and think of the loss suffered by their family members and loved ones. 

Finally, as President Obama emphasized, the United States is not - and never will be - at war with Islam.  We are at war with al Qaeda, a terrorist organization that is committed to killing as many innocents as it can, an organization that kills and threatens people of all faiths including Muslims.