Security measures

KANEOHE, Hawaii, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama ordered a review of security plans to assure the public incidents such as the attempted Christmas bombing of a jetliner don't recur.

Airport security was increased following the Christmas Day attack on Northwest Flight 253 in which a Nigerian man allegedly tried to set off explosive material as the plane approached Detroit. Authorities said, if detonated, the substance would have caused a hole in the aircraft.

An al-Qaida group in Yemen said it was responsible for the attack and the suspect said there were additional people being trained for more attacks.

"A full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism, and we will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable," Obama said Monday.

Among changes in security measures, the Transportation Security Administration said flight crews have discretion in when to allow passengers to move about the plane and whether they can keep items on their laps. Authorities said other measures, such as increased screenings and checks of hand-carried luggage, would be used but not all airports would institute the same procedures.

TSA said that from Dec. 14 to 21 its in-place procedures led to the arrest of 21 people for "suspicious behavior or fraudulent travel documents" and confiscation of 37 firearms and three "artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints."