Obama offers Pakistan president his condolences over Nato air strike

US president offered his condolences and said deaths of 24 Pakistani troops were ‘regrettable’ but accidental

Barack Obama said good US relations with Pakistan were critical to both nations. Photograph: Benjamin J Myers/Corbis
Barack Obama has called Pakistan’s president to offer condolences over the Nato air strike that killed 24 Pakistani troops and sparked a crisis in relations between the two countries.

Obama told President Asif Ali Zardari that the soldiers’ deaths were “regrettable” and accidental, according to a White House statement.

He reiterated his call for a full investigation of the 26 November incident and said the US relationship with Pakistan was critical to the security interests of both nations.

Obama offers Pakistan president his condolences over Nato air strike