WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s approval rating has hit its highest point in two years — 60 percent — and more than half of Americans now say he deserves to be re-elected, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll taken after U.S. forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

In worrisome signs for Republicans, the president’s standing improved not just on foreign policy but also on the economy, and independent Americans — a key voting bloc in the November 2012 presidential election — caused the overall uptick in support by sliding back to Pres. Obama after fleeing for much of the past two years.

Comfortable majorities of the public now call Pres. Obama a strong leader who will keep America safe. Nearly three-fourths — 73 percent — also now say they are confident that Obama can effectively handle terrorist threats. And he improved his standing on Afghanistan, Iraq and the United States’ relationships with other countries.

Pictured: President Obama greets well wishers after stepping off Air Force One at Austin Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, May 10, 2011, for Democratic National Committee campaign fundraising events.