The White House says President Barack Obama considers the death of 24 Pakistani troops in a cross-border fight involving NATO forces a tragedy and says the administration is determined to look into the circumstances of the air strikes.
White House spokesman Jay Carney says the president extends sympathy to the families of the dead soldiers and to the people of Pakistan in general. Carney said: "We take it very seriously”.
The incident has deepened tensions between the United States and Pakistan, a country that has been essential to the US in its effort to combat al-Qaida and the Taliban. Carney called the relationship with Pakistan complicated, but said it is important to maintain a cooperative relationship with Pakistan.
AP