Obama: "systemic failure" occurred in Christmas plane attack

US President Barack Obama says a "systemic failure" occurred in connection with the failed Christmas plane attack. He has ordered an investigation, and asked for results by Thursday.

In Honolulu, Barack Obama cited a combination of human and systemic failures for the breach of security.

Barack Obama, US President. said, "This extremist boards a plane with dangerous explosives that could cost nearly 300 lives. A systemic failure has occurred and I consider that totally unacceptable."

Obama also criticized US intelligence for dropping the ball on a report from the suspect's father. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's father had said his son had adopted alarming political views and he might seek to harm American interests.

U.S. President Barack Obama gives a statement at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Hawaii, December 29, 2009.REUTERS/Hugh Gentry