World 'safer' as questions remain

President Barack Obama Monday declared the world a "safer" and "a better place" with the death of Osama bin Laden, as the White House offered new details to provide assurance that the United States had killed the long-sought terrorist.

"I think we can all agree this is a good day for America," Obama said at the White House the day after his announcement stunned the world. "Our country has kept its commitment to see that justice is done."

But amid the cheering and remembrance , Americans and people around the world began to come to grips with the significance of the bin Laden's death, the loss of life he caused and the possibility of a retaliatory attack by his followers.

Monday night, at a White House dinner for key members of Congress, Obama noted the rare moment of unity brought about by the raid and said he hoped "we can harness some of that unity and some of that pride to confront the many challenges that still face us."

"This is a day of complex emotions: jubilation and reflection," said Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. But, he added, "The threat of al-Qaida did not die yesterday and we must be vigilant."

Bin Laden had made another tape before he died, The Associated Press reported, and the whereabouts of his top lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahri, remain unknown.

Cuomo, New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano put police and other forces on alert.

Margaret Poulos of Levittown, who lost her husband, Richard, and brother James Hopper in the attacks, said, "I'm just happy he's dead so he can't hurt anybody else. Hopefully this will lead to no more killings."

The White House did not release photos or other evidence of the killing, saying it was weighing whether doing so would compromise intelligence gathering. But officials said they identified bin Laden as among those killed in the daring 40-minute raid through factors including his appearance, height and DNA tests.

The military action won plaudits across the board, but details released Monday painted a picture of a difficult and high-risk raid into a fortified mansion built to give refuge to bin Laden.

The mission was based on circumstantial evidence and it nearly went awry when a helicopter malfunctioned, officials said. Navy SEALs had to destroy the copter and go to Plan B.

The details also raised questions, now being asked on Capitol Hill, about whether Pakistani leaders knew of or even supported bin Laden in his $1-million fortress-like refuge built in 2005 within a mile of a military base.

"People have been referring to this as hiding in plain sight," said Obama counterterrorism adviser John Brennan. "We're going to pursue all leads to find out exactly what type of support system and benefactors that bin Laden might have had."

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, however, credited Pakistan with aiding the detection of bin Laden, and urged that the United States strengthen its cooperation with the South Asian country.

With Yancey Roy and AP