Conspiracy theorists have a field day over Osama Bin Laden's death

Pressure grew on the White House today to provide proof that Osama bin Laden is dead as a slew of conspiracy theories spread.

Within hours of Barack Obama announcing the news, Facebook pages sprung up with titles such as "Osama bin Laden NOT DEAD" and internet forums buzzed with claims of a "death hoax" to assist the US President's re-election - his announcement interrupted a broadcast of Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump, a possible rival for the presidency.

Attention focused on the lack of evidence with many insisting the al Qaeda leader was still alive, or had been dead for years. Adding fuel, a fake photograph broadcast on Pakistani TV and other networks featured part of Bin Laden's face superimposed onto another man's corpse.

Suspicion is particularly prevalent in the Islamic world. People in Abbottabad expressed widespread disbelief that Bin Laden had even lived there.

The White House promised evidence would be provided.