(Washington, DC): -- Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) released the following statement today regarding the announcement that al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed in a Coalition air strike yesterday north of Baghdad near Baqubah:

"The elimination of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is welcome news, and I commend our military forces for eliminating the most wanted terrorist within the borders of Iraq. This development, coupled with the appointments of Iraqi Defense and Interior Ministers, is encouraging.

"I hope these latest developments lead the Iraqi people to take the steps necessary to provide for their own security, so that American military forces can come home or be redeployed outside Iraq.

"Up until now, the Iraqis seemed to be content to let American troops bear the burden for their defense. They need to know that it is time for them to take responsibility for their own future.

"The overall insurgency in Iraq cannot be put down by any outside force -- it must be defended by Iraqis. If the Iraqi people really want this new government to succeed, they must stand up and defend it!

"Today's developments are indeed positive. It rests with the Iraqi people to determine whether the benefits are long-term.

"We must return the focus to capturing or killing the man who attacked the United States on September 11, 2001 -- Osama bin Laden."

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