Global support for U.S. killing of bin Laden - poll

By Michelle Nichols

TORONTO (Reuters) - A 22-nation survey released on Tuesday found three-quarters of those polled believed the United States was justified in killing al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden for his role in the September 11, 2001, attacks.

But the Ipsos poll of about 17,000 people -- conducted a week after bin Laden was shot on May 2 by U.S. forces who stormed his compound in Pakistan -- found that only 11 percent felt safer now that he was dead.

"What is especially surprising is that majorities in nearly every country believe that the U.S. was justified in its actions," said Darrell Bricker, chief executive officer of Ipsos Global Public Affairs.

The poll showed that countries that were part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan were among those with the highest approval rating, led by the United States with 95 percent, France and Britain with 87 percent and Australia, Belgium and Canada with 85 percent.

In other ISAF nations, Poland had 83 percent who felt the killing was justified, followed by Italy (81 percent), Hungary (79), Germany (76), Sweden (71), Turkey (71) and Spain (70).

There was 63 percent support in both South Korea, an ISAF member, and Japan, which has pledged billions of dollars in reconstruction aid to Afghanistan, the poll showed.

India's 95 percent support matched the United States' while Brazil had 77 percent, South Africa 76 percent and Russia 75 percent.

NO SAFER