Osama bin Laden's death has been confirmed by DNA tests that show a "virtually 100%" match with the al Qaeda leader, US officials have revealed.
The world's most-wanted man was buried at sea in the early hours of the morning, after he was killed by a gunshot to the head at a villa in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad.
Officials said his body had also been identified by a woman believed to be one of his wives.
US President Barack Obama said: "The world is safer, it is a better place because of the death of Osama bin Laden."
A US defence official said Bin Laden was given an Islamic funeral, which involved him being wrapped in a white sheet and washed before being sent overboard.
This does not eliminate al Qaeda but it does eliminate their iconic mastermind. It will help eliminate any questions about the the commitment of the US relating to the war on terrorism.
Sky News blogger Jon-Christopher Bua
They said the ceremony took place at sea because other countries - including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan - refused to take custody of the body.
US chief counter-terrorism advisor John Brennan insisted Bin Laden would have been taken alive if there had been the opportunity.
That contradicted sources that had previously claimed the operation had been a "kill mission", with no attempt to capture the target.
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