Putin vows to strengthen security against terror

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks in Russia recently, said on September 4 that steps will be taken to increase security in Russia.

The tragedy "is a challenge to the whole of Russia. To all of our people," Putin said in a televised address to the nation Saturday.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

In a nationwide televised speech following the end of the three-day hostage-taking crisis in a southern Russian school which has claimed at least 332 lives of children and adults hostages since Wednesday, Putin called for the establishment of a effective anti-crisis system in Russia, including new law enforcement principles.

Putin admitted that Russia has shown weakness in face of danger but the country would not give in to blackmail.

He said the hostage-taking was a terrorist strike that posed a challenge to the whole of the nation and called on all Russians to unite and "conquer enemy".

Russian forces suppressed armed hostage-takers in the school siege after over 10 hours of exchange of fire on Friday, saving over 400 hostages from the school.

Source: Xinhua