WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The deadly bombing of a Pakistan hotel brought calls Sunday for stronger efforts to fight terrorism from the major-party U.S. presidential nominees.
The Saturday blast at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad killed at least 57 people and wounded up to 230 others, Pakistani officials said. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said the incident showed the need to increase U.S. efforts to fight the terrorist group al-Qaida, the Washington newspaper The Hill reported.
"As the attack earlier this week on our embassy in Yemen shows, over seven years after (Sept. 11, 2001), the terrorist threat knows no borders, and the terrorists threaten innocent civilians of all religions and regions," Obama said. "Now is the time to refocus our efforts on defeating al-Qaida and securing the American people."
Republican opponent Sen. John McCain of Arizona said the hotel bombing should strengthen the determination of both countries to battle terror, the newspaper reported.
"We must work with the elected government of Pakistan to find those responsible, hold them accountable, and diminish their ability to threaten us and our allies in the future," McCain said.
