WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama on Wednesday night commemorated 9/11 attacks ten years ago at the Iftar dinner held at the White House.

In front of the diplomatic corps and members of Congress, Obama said in one month's time, the country will mark the 10th anniversary of "those awful attacks that brought so much pain to our hearts."

He said the anniversary will be "a time to honor all those that we've lost, the families who carry on their legacy, the heroes who rushed to help that day and all who have served to keep us safe during a difficult decade."

Obama is to participate in ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people next month in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, where the attacks took place.

Iftar dinner is the evening meal when Muslims break their daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan.