WASHINGTON, Sept 20: The United States and Britain on Saturday condemned the Islamabad suicide bombing and reiterated support for Pakistan’s government.

“The US strongly condemns the terrorist attack that took place in Islamabad today,” national security council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement.

“This is a reminder of the threat we all face. The US will stand with Pakistan’s democratically elected government as they confront this challenge,” said Mr Johndroe, adding that Mr Bush was briefed by National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley on the attack.

“President Bush offers his sincere condolences to the families of all those lost in the vicious attack,” the statement said.

The US State Department said earlier it was in contact with the US embassy in Islamabad and was looking into whether any US nationals were hurt.

In London, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the bombing was a disgraceful attack which reinforced Britain’s resolve to fight violent extremism with Pakistan.

“This latest bombing attack in Islamabad is yet another shocking and disgraceful attack without justification,” Mr Miliband said.

Meanwhile, the United States was in contact with its embassy in Islamabad about the deadly blast at a hotel there and was looking into whether any US nationals were hurt, a State Department spokeswoman said on Saturday.

State Department spokesman Nicole Thompson said “we’ve seen the reports, and we are in contact with our embassy in Islamabad.” He said that at the moment the State Department priority was getting information about any US nationals who might be affected.—Agencies