Millions to remember 9/11 victims

New York and Washington are on high alert this weekend after officials received "credible" information that al-Qaida are planning to carry out further attacks to coincide with the anniversary of 9/11.

Millions around the world will tomorrow remember the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, a decade after fanatical extremists used hijacked US airliners to murder nearly 3,000 people.

Families and friends of those killed in the atrocity will mark the 10th anniversary at memorial events around the globe.

Islamist terrorists hijacked four passenger jets on September 11, 2001, deliberately flying the first into the north tower of the World Trade Centre at 8.46am local time (1.46pm Irish time).

Other aircraft were smashed into the World Trade Centre’s south tower and the Pentagon in Washington DC before the final plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after a group of passengers fought back against the hijackers.

The 9/11 attacks claimed the lives of 2,977 innocent people, making them the deadliest terrorist atrocity America has ever experienced.

Some 2,753 died in New York, 184 in Washington and 40 in Pennsylvania. Among the dead were 343 firefighters, 37 police officers, two FBI officers and one US secret service agent.

New York and Washington are on high alert this weekend after officials received "credible" information that alQaida are planning to carry out further attacks to coincide with the anniversary.

President Barack Obama used his weekly address to speak about the atrocity.

He said while the US had grown stronger over the last decade, al-Qaida's power had waned.

Mr Obama said America will keep moving forward - but will never forget the victims.

"This weekend we are coming together as one nation to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks," President Obama said.

"We are remembering the lives we lost - almost 3,000 innocent men, women and children.

"We are reaffirming our commitment to always keep faith with their families."