An emotional US President George W Bush vowed to lead the world to victory over terrorism.
The president, with his eyes moistening over, said "my resolve is steady and strong about winning the war declared against America."
He said the United States "would not relent" until the country and the world had been made safe from terrorism.
"We will lead the world to victory," he insisted in remarks to journalists at the White House two days after terrorists struck in Washington and New York.
Bush said that in his telephone conversations with foreign leaders they had pledged solidarity and "fully understand that this was an act war declared on America."
Earlier Mr Bush designated tomorrow as "a national day of prayers and remembrance," for the thousands of victims of the attacks.
White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said the president will attend a prayer service in Washington tomorrow to honour the estimated thousands of victims of the attacks, and was "calling on Americans during their lunch hours" to take time to attend prayer services "to pray for our nation."
Americans should "attend prayer services at churches, synagogues, mosques, other places of their choosing to pray for our nation, to pray for the families of those who were victimized by this act of terrorism," Mr Fleischer told reporters.
AFP &