Pakistanis Rally to Protest US Missile Strike

Hundreds of Pakistanis have demonstrated in the northwestern Bajaur tribal region against a purported U.S. airstrike last week that killed civilians.

Sunday's rally was held near the site of the January 13 attack, widely reported to have been carried out by a CIA drone aircraft. Demonstrators chanted slogans against the United States and burned effigies of President Bush.

The missile strike in the village of Damadola was apparently intended for, but missed, al-Qaida's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri. However, Pakistani officials say it killed at least three other top al-Qaida members, including a chemical weapons expert.

The attack has caused friction between Islamabad and Washington. On Saturday, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri called for better cooperation between the two countries to avoid a repeat of the missile strike.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.