Romanian President Traian Basescu on Tuesday hailed the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden as "the beginning of the end."

Basescu made the remark when meeting with visiting U.S. Under Secretary of State Ellen Tauscher.

According to Basescu, the death of bin Laden is an important success for the United States, as well as a great historic moment for Arab countries.

Tauscher said bin Laden's death brings comfort to the families of victims and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced Sunday night that a U.S. operation had killed bin Laden outside the Pakistani capital Islamabad and hailed his death as the "most significant achievement" in U.S. efforts to defeat al-Qaida.