Zardari: Terrorism 'a cancer' to eliminate

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari called terrorism "a cancer" as his government appealed for help in identifying those responsible for a deadly hotel blast.

In a brief nationally televised address late Saturday, Zardari said, "Terrorism is an epidemic, a cancer which we will eliminate at all costs," the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

The president said he and the nation had no fear in battling terrorists, adding, "Pakistanis consider their lives a trust of Allah Almighty and have no fear of death as its day is fixed."

The Saturday blast killed at least 57 and injured as many as 230 others. Witnesses say a small car burst through the gates of the Marriott Hotel, followed by a suicide truck bomber. The explosion claimed the Czech Republic's ambassador to Pakistan among its victims, CNN reported.

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Sunday called on the nation to isolate what he called the "black sheep" trying to destabilize Pakistan's democracy, VOA reported, saying a $130,000 reward has been offered for information on the attack's organizers.