Pakistan's Sharif denounces recent US drone strike

Pakistan's incoming prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has expressed "deep disappointment" over a recent US drone strike that the Pakistani Taliban said killed their No. 2 leader.

Updated on: Jun 1, 2013, 12:03:58 IST

AP | By HT Correspondent, Islamabad

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Pakistan's incoming prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has expressed "deep disappointment" over a recent US drone strike that the Pakistani Taliban said killed their No. 2 leader.

A statement late Friday by Sharif's soon-to-be ruling party describes Wednesday's strike as a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and international law.

It does not mention the Pakistani Taliban's deputy leader, Waliur Rehman. After the strike, the Pakistani Taliban withdrew their offer of peace talks with Sharif's incoming government.

The statement says a Sharif aide conveyed his sentiments to the US Embassy.

The US regards such missile attacks as legal, but President Barack Obama recently described plans to further restrict drone use in the future. According to the statement, the aide described the strike as especially regrettable since it came within days of Obama's speech.

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