Al-Qaeda Confirms bin Laden's Death, Vows Revenge

Al-Qaeda confirmed the killing of Osama bin Laden today and vowed revenge, promising that America's "happiness will turn to sadness." The statement, which appeared on militant websites today, was dated May 3, and signed by the "general leadership of al-Qaeda," the AP reports. "We stress that the blood of the holy warrior sheik, Osama bin Laden, God bless him, is precious to us and to all Muslims and will not go in vain," the statement said. "We will remain, God willing, a curse chasing the Americans and their agents."

They also revealed that bin Laden had recorded one last audio message a week before his death, and they promised to release it soon. The statement clears the way for the group to name a new leader, presumably Ayman al-Zawahri. It also called for Pakistanis to rise up in revolt against their government. (Click to read about an al-Qaeda plot bin Laden was reportedly working on.)