Obama urges Americans to be vigilant against terrorism

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- President Barack Obama on Monday urged Americans to keep vigilance against terrorism following the thwarted Christmas Day terror attack on a U.S. passenger plane.

President Barack Obama on Monday urged Americans to  keep vigilance against terrorism following the thwarted  Christmas Day terror attack on a U.S. passenger plane.

Obama, who is taking vacation in his native Hawaii, said the thwarted attack was "a serious reminder of the danger we face and the nature of those who threaten our home land."

Americans should remain vigilant but also be confident, the president said.

"We are doing everything in our power to keep you safe," the president assured.

"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 U.S. airline watch list system and the review of all 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.

Obama said Americans are committed to a broader fight against terror groups across parts of Middle East, Asia and Africa.

"We will continue to use every element of our national power todisrupt, 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 theU.S. homeland."