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US vows to hunt down jet plotters US vows to hunt down jet plotters
(10 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has pledged the US "will not rest" until all those behind an alleged Christmas Day plane bomb plot are held accountable.President Barack Obama has pledged the US "will not rest" until all those behind an alleged Christmas Day plane bomb plot are held accountable.
In his first public comments on the plot, Mr Obama said he had ordered an immediate review of US terrorism databases.In his first public comments on the plot, Mr Obama said he had ordered an immediate review of US terrorism databases.
The accused, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, had a visa and was allowed to fly despite being on a watch-list.The accused, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, had a visa and was allowed to fly despite being on a watch-list.
Mr Obama spoke after it emerged a wing of al-Qaeda had claimed the plot.Mr Obama spoke after it emerged a wing of al-Qaeda had claimed the plot.
Announcing an inquiry into how the accused had been able to board the airliner, the US president said only the "quick and heroic actions" of passengers and crew had averted disaster.Announcing an inquiry into how the accused had been able to board the airliner, the US president said only the "quick and heroic actions" of passengers and crew had averted disaster.
Call to vigilanceCall to vigilance
The 23-year-old Nigerian, who is being held at a prison in the US state of Michigan, was restrained while allegedly trying to detonate an explosive device sewn in to his underwear.The 23-year-old Nigerian, who is being held at a prison in the US state of Michigan, was restrained while allegedly trying to detonate an explosive device sewn in to his underwear.
We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, dismantle and defeat violent extremists Barack Obama Bomb suspect was on UK watch-list 'Jet bomber' family tell of shock Q&A: 'Jet bomber' caseWe will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, dismantle and defeat violent extremists Barack Obama Bomb suspect was on UK watch-list 'Jet bomber' family tell of shock Q&A: 'Jet bomber' case
Mr Abdulmutallab is charged with attempting to blow up the Northwest Airlines Airbus A330, which had nearly 300 people on board, as it made its final descent to Detroit. 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.
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."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."
In addition to the watch-list review, Mr Obama said his administration had already taken extra steps to improve airline security.In addition to the watch-list review, Mr Obama said his administration had already taken extra steps to improve airline security.
CriticismCriticism
He said he had ordered extra air marshals and enhanced screening at airports.He said he had ordered extra air marshals and enhanced screening at airports.
This image from an extremist website purports to show Mr AbdulmutallabThis image from an extremist website purports to show Mr Abdulmutallab
Mr Obama said the people of America would not give in to fear, but added that its citizens should be vigilant.Mr Obama said the people of America would not give in to fear, but added that its citizens should be vigilant.
He added: "Those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know the United States will do more than simply strengthen our defences.He added: "Those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know the United States will do more than simply strengthen our defences.
"We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists.""We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists."
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.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.
Shortly before Mr Obama spoke, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the plot.Shortly before Mr Obama spoke, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the plot.
'War on Crusaders' 'War on crusaders'
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.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.
UMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB Son of a wealthy Nigerian businessmanAttended a British school in TogoStudied mechanical engineering at University College LondonSpent time in Dubai, Yemen and Egypt Profile: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Al-Qaeda group claims bomb plotUMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB Son of a wealthy Nigerian businessmanAttended a British school in TogoStudied mechanical engineering at University College LondonSpent time in Dubai, Yemen and Egypt Profile: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Al-Qaeda group claims bomb plot
The group also urged the killing of Western embassy workers in the region as part of an "all out war on Crusaders". The group also urged the killing of Western embassy workers in the region as part of an "all out war on crusaders".
The website message said the attempted bombing was in response to US attacks against its operatives in Yemen.The website message said the attempted bombing was in response to US attacks against its operatives in Yemen.
Washington has stepped up military assistance to Yemen's offensive against al-Qaeda militants.Washington has stepped up military assistance to Yemen's offensive against al-Qaeda militants.
US officials said at the weekend the accused had told investigators al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen had supplied him with the bomb.US officials said at the weekend the accused had told investigators al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen had supplied him with the bomb.
His father, a top Nigerian banker, voiced fears to the US embassy in Abuja weeks ago that his son was becoming radicalised.His father, a top Nigerian banker, voiced fears to the US embassy in Abuja weeks ago that his son was becoming radicalised.
But officials did not revoke his two-year multiple-entry visa, which was issued in June 2008.But officials did not revoke his two-year multiple-entry visa, which was issued in June 2008.
Instead, Mr Abdulmutallab's name was added to the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment database, but was not put on a no-fly list. Mr Abdulmutallab's name was added to the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment database, but not put on a no-fly list.