Global General

Spain values death of Osama bin Laden

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-02 20:29

MADRID - Spanish Vice President and Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba on Monday valued the news of the death of Osama bin Laden, who was killed by US forces in Pakistan.

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Rubalcaba considered that the death of the leader of terrorist organization al-Qaida was a major breakthrough in the war against terror, but warned it did not mean an end to war, nor would it mean that the Spanish troops operating in Afghanistan would be brought home.

"It is an operation anti-terrorism of maximum level," he said in a press conference.

"An operation such as today is very important, but it is not the end of the fight against terrorism that is diffused and difficult to combat. I don't think it is the moment to reconsider our operation in Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden was a very important person for al-Qaida for all he represented, but the world of the jihad is more complex in Afghanistan and Pakistan," added Rubalcaba, who admitted the Spanish government still didn't know the exact details of the operation.

"I suppose the intelligence service will give us details through the usual channels," he commented.

Spain's Embassy in Pakistan has been placed on high alert for fear of reprisals and Spanish nationals in the country have been advised to limit their movements as a precautionary measure. Rubalcaba added that the government would be considering other security measures as al-Qaida appears certain to retaliate sooner or later.

"We have a meeting tomorrow and it is possible we will discuss extra measures for security in Embassies and suchlike. Spain is a level two alert against a terrorist attack," he concluded.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Mariano Rajoy congratulated US forces and Spanish forces for their role in the fight against terrorism, adding that the struggle was long and difficult. He described bin Laden's death as a step forward.