Page last updated at 00:51 GMT, Tuesday, 29 December 2009<\/p>\n
Obama says US will pursue plane bomb plotters<\/p>\n
President Obama: „The US will do more than strengthen its defences“<\/p>\n
President Barack Obama has pledged his administration „will not rest“ until all those behind an alleged plot to bomb a US plane are brought to justice.<\/p>\n
In his first public comments on last Friday’s incident, Mr Obama said he had ordered two reviews – of US terrorism databases and air travel screening.<\/p>\n
The accused, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian, had a visa and was allowed to fly despite being on a watch-list.<\/p>\n
Mr Obama spoke after it emerged a wing of al-Qaeda had claimed the plot.<\/p>\n
The US president said only the „quick and heroic actions“ of passengers and crew had averted disaster.<\/p>\n
Call to vigilance<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old accused, who is being held at a prison in the US state of Michigan, was restrained while allegedly trying to detonate a high-explosive device sewn in to his underwear.<\/p>\n
We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, dismantle and defeat violent extremists<\/p>\n
Barack Obama<\/p>\n
Bomb suspect was on UK watch-list<\/p>\n
‚Jet bomber‘ family tell of shock<\/p>\n
Q&A: ‚Jet bomber‘ case<\/p>\n
Mr Abdulmutallab is charged with attempting to blow up the Northwest Airlines Airbus A330 from Amsterdam, which had nearly 300 people on board, as it made its final descent to Detroit.<\/p>\n
He has reportedly told FBI investigators that there are others just like him in Yemen who will strike soon.<\/p>\n
Officials are said to be concerned there may be more al-Qaeda-trained young men in the country planning to bring down US planes, the BBC’s Imtiaz Tyab reports from Washington.<\/p>\n
Mr Obama, speaking at a military base in Hawaii where he has been on holiday with his family, said: „We will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.“<\/p>\n
Mr Obama said his administration had already taken steps to improve security, including extra air marshals and enhanced screening at airports.<\/p>\n
Criticism<\/p>\n
Mr Obama said the people of America would not give in to fear, but added that its citizens should be vigilant.<\/p>\n
US government photo of Umar Farouk Abdulmutalla’s underwear obtained by ABC News<\/p>\n
The suspect’s underpants had a packet of powder sewn into them, officials say<\/p>\n
He added: „Those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know the United States will do more than simply strengthen our defences.<\/p>\n
„We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists.“<\/p>\n
US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Monday airport systems had failed, and that a much-criticised earlier remark of hers that security had worked was taken out of context.<\/p>\n
Shortly before Mr Obama spoke, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the plot.<\/p>\n
‚War on crusaders‘<\/p>\n
In an internet statement, the group said it had co-ordinated the attack with Mr Abdulmutallab and only a „technical fault“ caused it to fail.<\/p>\n
UMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB<\/p>\n
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on a school trip to London, 2001\/2<\/p>\n
Son of a wealthy Nigerian businessman<\/p>\n
Attended a British school in Togo<\/p>\n
Studied mechanical engineering at University College London<\/p>\n
Spent time in Dubai, Yemen and Egypt<\/p>\n
Profile: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab<\/p>\n
Al-Qaeda group claims bomb plot<\/p>\n
The group also urged the killing of Western embassy workers in the region as part of an „all-out war on crusaders“.<\/p>\n
The website message said the attempted bombing was in response to US attacks against its operatives in Yemen.<\/p>\n
Washington has stepped up military assistance to Yemen’s offensive against al-Qaeda militants.<\/p>\n
US officials said at the weekend the accused had told investigators al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen had supplied him with the bomb.<\/p>\n
The Yemeni government has confirmed that Mr Abdulmutallab lived in the country between August and December, after obtaining a visa to study Arabic there.<\/p>\n
Officials said that there was „nothing suspicious about his intentions“ to visit the country.<\/p>\n
But his father, a top Nigerian banker, voiced fears to the US embassy in Abuja weeks ago that his son was becoming radicalised.<\/p>\n
But officials did not revoke his two-year multiple-entry visa, which was issued in June 2008.<\/p>\n
Mr Abdulmutallab’s name was added to the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment database, but not put on a no-fly list.<\/p>\n
\tUS JET BOMBING SUSPECT<\/p>\n
KEY STORIES<\/p>\n
US vows to hunt down jet plotters<\/p>\n
Al-Qaeda wing claims bomb plot<\/p>\n
Family tell of shock<\/p>\n
Bomb suspect on UK watch-list<\/p>\n
‚Bomb attack bid‘ on US airliner<\/p>\n
BACKGROUND<\/p>\n
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (file image) Security weakness<\/p>\n
The changing nature of attempts to subvert airport security<\/p>\n
Profile of suspect<\/p>\n
Q&A: ‚Jet bomber‘ case<\/p>\n
How are air travellers screened?<\/p>\n
VIDEO<\/p>\n
Jasper Schuringa, who overpowered terror suspect Passenger tackles terror suspect<\/p>\n
Passenger on Flight 253 describes incident Passengers describe incident<\/p>\n
FROM OTHER NEWS SITES<\/p>\n
The Independent Bomber warns: there are more like me in Yemen – 2 hrs ago<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"