Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram admitted, on Friday, that there were “lapses” in the security mechanism that led to the Mumbai attacks and he also apologized to the nation for that.

"I agree there has been a failure on the part of security forces...undoubtedly there had been some lapses. I will be less than truthful if I say there were no lapses," he said.

In an attempt to calm the nerves of the terror struck city, he said, "I am sorry Mumbai...I will try to improve effectiveness of security systems and address all problems concerned. I will strain every nerve to overcome the causes of these lapses."

He termed that the attacks as a “challenge to the soul of India” and for a collective effort from the governments and the people to fight terrorism.

On Saturday, Chidambaram is slated to attend a meeting on security at PMO where Narayanan will also be present. In the meeting issues like a Federal Investigative Agency, a media management plan during a terrorism crisis and proposals to beef up coastal and river security will we taken up.