U.S. authorities announced Monday the CIA had thwarted an alleged al-Qaeda plot to place a suicide bomber on a U.S.-bound airliner wearing a new type of “underwear bomb” designed to pass through airport security. Officials said the plot was developed by an al-Qaeda affiliate in Yemen. The would-be suicide bomber was seized outside of Yemen about a week ago with the bomb. It is unclear what has happened to the individual. Republican Rep. Peter King of New York said counterterrorism officials had said of the bomber: “We don’t have to worry about him anymore.” This is Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Leon Panetta: “The United States engages in a number of operations to go after al-Qaeda and their militant allies, their terrorist allies, who would try to attack the United States. What this incident makes clear is that this country has to continue to remain vigilant against those that would seek to attack this country. And we will do everything necessary to keep America safe.”