Obama urges Americans to be vigilant against terrorism

LOS ANGELES - President Barack Obama has urged Americans to keep vigilance against terrorism after the failed terror attack on a US passenger plane last week.

Obama, who is currently on a Hawaii vacation, said Monday the latest attack was “a serious reminder of the danger we face and the nature of those who threaten our homeland”, Xinhua reported.

Americans should remain vigilant but also be confident, he said. “We are doing everything in our power to keep you safe.”

“We will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable,” Obama said, adding that a full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism.

The president ordered the review of US airline watch list system as well as screening policies and procedures.

This was the first public statement by Obama since a 23-year-old Nigerian allegedly tried to blow up a Northwest Airliner as it approached Detroit on the Christmas Day.

“We will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us — whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia or anywhere they are plotting attacks against the US homeland,” Obama said.