WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- The US independent commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks formally closed down on Friday.

    The commission, formally known as the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, was set up in late 2002 to examine security-related issues before the attacks and respons eafterward and to make recommendations on guarding against future attacks.

    By law, the commission would cease to exist after it submitted its final report.

    The 10-member commission released its final report on July 22 after a 20-month investigation, faulting the US government for failing to recognize the danger posed by al Qaeda and being ill-prepared to respond to the attack.

    The panel proposed a sweeping overhaul of the US intelligence apparatus, and among its recommendations were the creation of a national intelligence director to oversee all US intelligence agencies and the establishment of a national counterterrorism center.

    Its 10 members - five Democrats and five Republicans, have planned to continue their efforts to press the government and the Congress to implement the recommendations they made in their finalreport. Enditem