Pakistan Demanding U.S. Apology For Deadly Drone Strike

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Pakistan's government is demanding an apology and explanation from the United States after at least 35 people were killed by a drone missile attack in Pakistan's northwest tribal region, near the Afghanistan border.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani have all condemned the March 17 strike in the Datta Khel area of the North Waziristan region.

In a written statement, Army chief Kayani said the strike had not hit Taliban-linked militants, but had instead hit a council of tribal elders.

Earlier on March 17, however, Pakistani security officials had said that mostly Islamic militants were believed to have been killed in the strike, and a U.S. official quoted by The Associated Press said indications are that the strike targeted militants.

compiled from agency reports