Obama announces new anti-terror measures

US President Barack Obama has announced more steps to defend the nation against terrorism threats, in response to the failed bombing attempt on a US-bound flight on Christmas Day.

Obama took responsibility for the security mistakes that led to the Christmas plot.

He is directing the US intelligence agencies to begin investigating all leads "on high-priority threats," and distribute the intelligence reports more rapidly and widely.

He has also called for strengthened capability of intelligence analysis and integration, and ordered a review of the criteria used to add individuals to terrorist watch lists.

U.S. President Barack Obama makes statements to outline steps the U.S. government is taking to try to shore up airline security, at the White House in Washington January 7, 2010. REUTERS/Jason Reed