The White House has said the US covert operation to kill al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was conducted in a manner fully consistent with the laws of war.

“The (Special Operations) team had the authority to kill Osama bin Laden unless he offered to surrender; in which case the team was required to accept his surrender if the team could do so safely,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters at his daily news conference.

“The operation was conducted in a manner fully consistent with the laws of war. The operation was planned so that the team was prepared and had the means to take bin Laden into custody,” Carney said in response to a question.

“There is simply no question that this operation was not lawful. Bin Laden was the head of al Qaeda, the organization that conducted the attacks of 11th September, 2001. And al Qaeda and bin Laden himself had continued to plot attacks against the US. We acted in the nation’s self-defense,” he said.

“The operation was conducted in a way designed to minimize and avoid altogether, if possible, civilian casualties. And that was done at great risk to Americans. Furthermore, consistent with the laws of war, bin Laden’s surrender would have been accepted if feasible,” Carney said.

If Osama bin Laden had surrendered the US could have brought him into custody safely, then that would have been bringing him to justice as well.

“But he was brought to justice on Sunday. I think it’s entirely appropriate that, given the circumstances, that he was brought to justice in the way he was. The professionals on the ground put themselves at great risk and accomplished their mission,” he said.