Death stokes Afghan war debate

WASHINGTON - US lawmakers celebrating Osama bin Laden's death still worried on Tuesday that his slaying would mute a rallying cry for the war effort in Afghanistan and expressed fresh doubts about success there.

US forces poured into the country after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks, ousting the Taliban militia from power after they refused to hand over the al-Qaida chief who masterminded the worst strikes on US soil.

"With the death of bin Laden, some people are sure to ask, 'Why don't we just pack up and leave Afghanistan?'" Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said as his panel examined US goals in the nearly 10-year conflict.