Time can not relieve the pain of 9/11: Obama

US President Barack Obama led a moment of silence Friday to launch eighth anniversary commemorations of the September 11 attacks in 2001 when 3,000 people died the terror strike. Obama said the passage of time could not ease the pain of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and vowed the United States would not falter in the battle against Al-Qaeda. At New York's Ground Zero Obama stepped out in front of the South Portico of the White House, with First Lady Michelle Obama, who was wearing a black dress. After three chimes played by a US Marine in ceremonial dress, the first couple bowed their heads and observed the moment of silence, joined by around 150 members of the White House staff. Obama also laid wreath on the monument to the people died in the attack.