Asia-Pacific

Australia to continue Afghan operations: PM Gillard

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-02 14:23

CANBERRA - Australia will continue its operations in Afghanistan following the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Monday. Live report

"Whilst al-Qaida has been hurt today, al-Qaida is not finished. Our war against terrorism must continue," said Gillard. "We will continue the mission in Afghanistan."

Australia was one of the first countries to offer troops to the US-led war in Afghanistan in 2001, following the Sept 11 airliner attacks on the United States.

Australia is the largest non-NATO military contributor to Afghanistan, with about 1,500 troops in Afghanistan including special forces, military trainers and reconstruction teams.

Since 2001, 23 Australian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan.

US President Barack Obama announced bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan in a shootout with US forces during a targeted operation.