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Pakistan leaders' 'narrow escape' Pakistan leaders' 'narrow escape'
(10 minutes later)
Pakistan's top leaders were to have been in the Islamabad Marriott hotel when it was bombed - but changed venue at the last minute, officials say.Pakistan's top leaders were to have been in the Islamabad Marriott hotel when it was bombed - but changed venue at the last minute, officials say.
Interior ministry head Rehman Malik said the president, prime minister and military chiefs should have been there.Interior ministry head Rehman Malik said the president, prime minister and military chiefs should have been there.
He told journalists it would have been "a great catastrophe", but did not say why the dinner plans were changed.He told journalists it would have been "a great catastrophe", but did not say why the dinner plans were changed.
A suicide bomb devastated the Marriot on Saturday, killing at least 53 people and wounding more than 266.A suicide bomb devastated the Marriot on Saturday, killing at least 53 people and wounding more than 266.
"The national assembly speaker had arranged a dinner for the entire leadership - for the president, prime minister and armed services chiefs - at the Marriott that day," Mr Malik told reporters."The national assembly speaker had arranged a dinner for the entire leadership - for the president, prime minister and armed services chiefs - at the Marriott that day," Mr Malik told reporters.
"The president and the prime minister changed the venue to the prime minister's house. The function was not held at the Marriott, thus the whole leadership was saved.""The president and the prime minister changed the venue to the prime minister's house. The function was not held at the Marriott, thus the whole leadership was saved."
Taleban suspectsTaleban suspects
The heavily guarded hotel was attacked at about 2000 (1500 GMT) on Saturday.The heavily guarded hotel was attacked at about 2000 (1500 GMT) on Saturday.
CCTV footage of the moments before the blast show a six-wheeler lorry ramming the security barrier at the hotel gate.CCTV footage of the moments before the blast show a six-wheeler lorry ramming the security barrier at the hotel gate.
The bomb - believed to have been detonated in the lorry - left a six-metre (20ft) crater.The bomb - believed to have been detonated in the lorry - left a six-metre (20ft) crater.
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Aerial footage of the damage caused by the bombAerial footage of the damage caused by the bomb
Rescuers have been combing the wreckage for survivors and bodies.Rescuers have been combing the wreckage for survivors and bodies.
Most of the dead were Pakistanis. One Vietnamese, a German and an American are also known to have died, and the Czech ambassador to Pakistan was also killed in the blast, it was confirmed on Sunday. Most of the dead were Pakistanis. One Vietnamese, a German and an American are known to have died and the Czech ambassador to Pakistan was also killed in the blast, it was confirmed on Sunday.
The blast has prompted British Airways to cancel two flights to Pakistan "in light of the security situation". The blast prompted British Airways to cancel two flights to Pakistan "in light of the security situation".
No-one has yet admitted carrying out the attack, but the Pakistani Taleban are thought to be the most likely suspects. No-one has yet admitted carrying out the attack, but the Pakistani Taleban are thought to be the most likely perpetrators.
The Marriott was the most prestigious hotel in the capital, located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. It is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite. Eyewitnesses: Pakistan blastIn pictures: Islamabad aftermathThe Marriott was the most prestigious hotel in the capital, located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. It is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite. Eyewitnesses: Pakistan blastIn pictures: Islamabad aftermath
The hotel has previously been the target of militants. Last year a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel. The hotel has previously been the target of militants. Last year, a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel.
The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says the attack might have been retaliation for army bombardments of suspected Taleban targets with jet fighters. The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says the latest attack might have been retaliation for army bombardments of suspected Taleban targets with jet fighters.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan's government said it would take targeted action against the militants, promising raids in some "hotspots" near the border with Afghanistan.Earlier on Monday, Pakistan's government said it would take targeted action against the militants, promising raids in some "hotspots" near the border with Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, reports from Peshawar, capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, say the Afghan consul in the city has been kidnapped.Meanwhile, reports from Peshawar, capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, say the Afghan consul in the city has been kidnapped.
The consul, Abdul Khaliq Farahi, was in a car in a Peshawar suburb when it was attacked by six unidentified men, officials say. His driver died in the attack.The consul, Abdul Khaliq Farahi, was in a car in a Peshawar suburb when it was attacked by six unidentified men, officials say. His driver died in the attack.