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'Systems' failed US in bomb plot 'System' failed US in bomb plot
(about 6 hours later)
President Barack Obama has said a systemic failure allowed a known extremist with explosives to get onto a US-bound plane last week.President Barack Obama has said a systemic failure allowed a known extremist with explosives to get onto a US-bound plane last week.
Mr Obama said he considered the intelligence and security failures to be "totally unacceptable".Mr Obama said he considered the intelligence and security failures to be "totally unacceptable".
The US needed to learn from the incident and act quickly to fix flaws in the system, he said.The US needed to learn from the incident and act quickly to fix flaws in the system, he said.
A Nigerian man accused of attempting to blow up the plane as it came in to land was restrained by passengers.A Nigerian man accused of attempting to blow up the plane as it came in to land was restrained by passengers.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, allegedly tried to detonate explosives in his underwear.Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, allegedly tried to detonate explosives in his underwear.
There were nearly 300 people aboard the plane.There were nearly 300 people aboard the plane.
A Yemen-based offshoot of al-Qaeda has claimed it planned the failed attack, and Yemeni officials say the group could be planning more attacks.A Yemen-based offshoot of al-Qaeda has claimed it planned the failed attack, and Yemeni officials say the group could be planning more attacks.
'Act quickly''Act quickly'
When our government has information on a known extremist and that information is not shared and acted upon as it should have been, a systemic failure has occurred, and I consider that totally unacceptable President ObamaWhen our government has information on a known extremist and that information is not shared and acted upon as it should have been, a systemic failure has occurred, and I consider that totally unacceptable President Obama
In a blunt statement, Mr Obama said he wanted to talk to the American people because some preliminary information about the attack had raised serious concerns.In a blunt statement, Mr Obama said he wanted to talk to the American people because some preliminary information about the attack had raised serious concerns.
"It has been widely reported that the father of the suspect in the Christmas Day incident warned US officials in Africa about his son's extremist views," he said "It has been widely reported that the father of the suspect in the Christmas Day incident warned US officials in Africa about his son's extremist views," he said.
It now appeared that "weeks ago, that info was passed to a component of our intelligence community but was not effectively distributed so as to get the subject on the no-fly list," he said.It now appeared that "weeks ago, that info was passed to a component of our intelligence community but was not effectively distributed so as to get the subject on the no-fly list," he said.
"We need to learn from this episode and act quickly to fix flaws in the system," Mr Obama said, adding that there was no excuse for such a failure."We need to learn from this episode and act quickly to fix flaws in the system," Mr Obama said, adding that there was no excuse for such a failure.
US FLIGHT ADVICE Only one item of hand luggage, including items bought airsideBA and Virgin Atlantic not charging to check in extra hand luggageCheck in wrapped presentsPassengers subject to "pat-down" searches before boarding, on top of usual security checksCustomers to remain seated during final hour of flightNo access to hand luggage and a ban on leaving possessions or blankets on laps during this hour Dutch press EU to adopt scanners In pictures: Suspect's journey How are travellers screened? Q&A: 'Jet bomber' caseUS FLIGHT ADVICE Only one item of hand luggage, including items bought airsideBA and Virgin Atlantic not charging to check in extra hand luggageCheck in wrapped presentsPassengers subject to "pat-down" searches before boarding, on top of usual security checksCustomers to remain seated during final hour of flightNo access to hand luggage and a ban on leaving possessions or blankets on laps during this hour Dutch press EU to adopt scanners In pictures: Suspect's journey How are travellers screened? Q&A: 'Jet bomber' case
"When our government has information on a known extremist and that information is not shared and acted upon as it should have been, so that this extremist boards a plane with dangerous explosives that could have cost nearly 300 lives, a systemic failure has occurred."When our government has information on a known extremist and that information is not shared and acted upon as it should have been, so that this extremist boards a plane with dangerous explosives that could have cost nearly 300 lives, a systemic failure has occurred.
"And I consider that totally unacceptable.""And I consider that totally unacceptable."
However, the president was careful to praise the efforts of law-enforcement agencies and homeland security officials.However, the president was careful to praise the efforts of law-enforcement agencies and homeland security officials.
Mr Obama said he had asked for initial findings from two reviews into the incident to be presented to him on Thursday, with more comprehensive reports following within weeks, he said.Mr Obama said he had asked for initial findings from two reviews into the incident to be presented to him on Thursday, with more comprehensive reports following within weeks, he said.
One review concerns the system of watch lists aimed at identifying possibly dangerous individuals, while the other deals with how the suspect was able to take explosives on board a US-bound plane.One review concerns the system of watch lists aimed at identifying possibly dangerous individuals, while the other deals with how the suspect was able to take explosives on board a US-bound plane.
The remarks were the president's second public statement on the incident in two days.The remarks were the president's second public statement on the incident in two days.
Earlier Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi told the BBC his country did not have enough support from Western countries to deal with al-Qaeda. Forceful tone
Mr Obama is facing increasing criticism for not having responded sooner and with more strength to the foiled bomb attack.
The BBC's Richard Lister, in Washington, says the attempted bombing is being seized upon as a political issue with Republicans trying to give the impression that Mr Obama is weak on national security.
Our correspondent says Mr Obama's tone in this latest statement was much more forceful than his earlier comments.
He adds that the president will also now face questions over what he intends to do with the 80 or so Yemeni detainees at the Guantanamo Bay camp, many of whom were accused of having links to al-Qaeda.
Earlier, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi told the BBC his country did not have enough support from Western countries to deal with al-Qaeda.
He said he thought that 200-300 al-Qaeda members were operating in Yemen.He said he thought that 200-300 al-Qaeda members were operating in Yemen.
CNN reports that, according to unnamed sources, US and Yemeni officials are looking for potential target sites directly linked to the incident for a possible retaliation strike in Yemen.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's information minister has said she is deeply worried the country's citizens could become stigmatised.
Dora Akunyili told the BBC World Service that she did not want the behaviour of one individual to make the whole world discriminate against the country.