Al-Qaida (sometimes spelled Al-Qaeda) confirms the death of their leader Osama bin Laden on Friday, May 6. They also released a statement as posted on militant websites by the al-Fajr Center (Al-Qaeda’s online media distribution network), asking their followers to remain united and powerful despite its founder’s demise.

The extremist Islamic group also vowed to keep fighting the United States and its allies, and avenge the death of Osama bin Laden.

The Al-Qaida statement entitled “You lived as a good man, You died as a martyr” which was released the day after bin Laden’s death reads:

“The blood of the mujahid (holy warrior) sheik, Osama bin Laden, may God have mercy upon him, weighs more to us and is more precious to us and to every Muslims than to be waster vain.”

“We will remain, God willing, a curse chasing the Americans and their agents, following them outside and inside their countries.”

“Soon, God willing, their happiness will turn to sadness.”

Despite these statement, the group did not name a successor to Osama bin Laden. But his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, is now the most prominent figure in the group and a likely contender to take his place.