US asks why 'jet bomber' had visa

Washington, 28 Dec-(ANA)-The US homeland security secretary has demanded to know how the Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a jet had a visa despite being on a watch list.

"We all want to know the answer to that question," Janet Napolitano said.

She also appeared to backtrack on a widely criticised assertion that the aviation security system had worked.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was arrested after he allegedly tried to set off an explosive device on board a Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit on Friday.

The 23-year-old was earlier moved from a hospital, where he was being treated for burns, to a federal prison.

Mr Abdulmutallab's family has described his recent behaviour as completely out of character. They said he had never caused them concern until he stopped communicating with them earlier this year.

His father, a prominent Nigerian banker and former government official, warned the US embassy in Abuja in October that his son had developed radical views and might have travelled to Yemen. But officials did not revoke his two-year multiple-entry visa, which was issued in June 2008. (ANA)

FA/ANA/28 December 2009---