NAHAL TOOSI Pakistan's parliament condemned an American-led attack in Pakistani territory yesterday after the government summoned the US ambassador in protest at a deadly missile strike in a troubled border region.

NAHAL TOOSI

Pakistan's parliament condemned an American-led attack in Pakistani territory yesterday after the government summoned the US ambassador in protest at a deadly missile strike in a troubled border region.

The criticism came two days before the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is expected to be chosen as president. A spokesman for Asif Ali Zardari condemned Wednesday's assault in the South Waziristan tribal region, which killed at least 15 people. It was the first known foreign ground assault in Pakistan against a Taliban haven.

Two Pakistani intelligence officials said a missile strike was suspected in a blast yesterday that killed four people in North Waziristan. The US has been suspected in previous missile strikes in Pakistani territory.

Zardari, however, said Pakistan stood with the US against international terrorism.

In a column in the Washington Post, Zardari described global terrorism as chief among the challenges facing his country.

An American official confirmed that US troops conducted the raid about a mile from the Afghan border.

The region is considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda's deputy leader, Ayman al Zawahri.

In France, a magazine published photos of Taliban fighters with trophies taken from French soldiers killed last month in Afghanistan, rekindling debate about France's presence there.

Ten French soldiers were killed in an ambush on August 18, France's worst single military loss in 25 years.

Paris Match showed Taliban fighters displaying French army guns, uniforms and other items they said were taken from dead soldiers.