Obama Says Understands Ire over Airport Screenings

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — President Barack Obama says he understands the frustrations of U.S. airline passengers who are subject to intrusive security screenings.

He says he's asked security officials whether there's a less intrusive approach.

But Obama says that security officials have told him that the current procedures are the only ones considered effective enough right now to guard against terrorist threats.

Obama doesn't have to pass through normal airport security himself, so he says he hasn't experienced the new patdowns and imaging devices now in use.

Obama spoke at a news conference during the NATO summit in Portugal.