WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama condemned the Christmas Day terrorist attempt on the United States in his first weekly radio address of 2010, vowing to bring those involved to justice and outlining steps the administration is taking to protect the American people.

Speaking from Kailua, Hawaii last weekend, the president said the attempt provides an important reminder of the sacrifices Americans are making in Afghanistan and the importance of bipartisan support for all who protect the United States.

During his radio address and follow up TV appearances by members of his administration, including his national security Czar John Brennan, Obama was careful not to remind listeners of statements he's made or failed to make earlier in 2009.

"This is not the first time this group has targeted us," Obama said, noting that in recent years it has bombed Yemeni government facilities and Western hotels, restaurants and embassies, including the U.S. Embassy, in 2008.

"So, as president, I've made it a priority to strengthen our partnership with the Yemeni government -- training and equipping their security forces, sharing intelligence and working with them to strike al-Qaeda terrorists," Obama said.

"What American's -- including our president -- must realize is that no enemy since we fought the British in the War of 1812 has ever killed thousands of Americans on U.S. soil until these Muslim extremists. That alone should anger any clear thinking citizen of this great nation," said a former Marine, intelligence officer, and NYPD first-grade detective.

Meanwhile during his visit, Army General David H. Petraeus praised the Yemeni government for taking on the al-Qaeda threat in that country.

"The Yemeni president and parliament take this threat very seriously," he said. "And that is of enormous significance, especially in a country facing such challenges."

Al-Qaeda has moved into the area, because they have sustained defeats in other areas, he said. Al-Qaeda had operated in Saudi Arabia, but the Saudis cracked down on the group and forced them out.

Petraeus said al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia is largely defeated and its presence in the Gulf states is largely reduced. Al-Qaeda in Iraq has been significantly diminished. "Yes, it can still carry out horrific attacks as we have seen in Baghdad ... but [it has been] significantly reduced," he said.

Even in Pakistan there has been progress with about a dozen al-Qaeda leaders killed and the rest under pressure.

"Al-Qaeda is always on the lookout for places where they might put down roots," Petraeus said. "Some years ago ... we could see the development of cells of al-Qaeda in Yemen. This past year, this was recognized by al-Qaeda's senior leadership by designating al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula."

But dating back to 2008, the United States has been working with the Yemeni government and their security forces to counter the al-Qaeda threat, he said. The effort grew in 2009 with Yemini special forces and armed forces taking significant actions.