Obama: Unemployment Biggest Challenge Facing Economy

In this file photo, President Obama is shown with GE Chairman Jeffrey Immelt, left, and White House Chief of Staff, Bill Daley, during his meeting with his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness in Washington. (AP)

WASHINGTON -- President Obama says the biggest challenge facing the U.S. economy is an unemployment rate that remains unacceptably high.

Obama told his newly created competitiveness council Thursday that its top priority must be creating jobs during a period of fiscal restraint.

Obama named business and labor leaders to the council, including GE Chairman Jeffrey Immelt and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. The council plans to deliver recommendations to the president within 90 days.