Bush was asked in Islamabad if he thought the deaths in Friday’s strike, which have dented some of the goodwill generated by the prominent US earthquake relief role, showed shortcomings in the US-led war on terrorism.

“No I don’t,” the father of President George W. Bush, said, while adding it was for others involved in the war to comment. “I am here as a representative of the (UN) secretary-general to try to help with the relief and reconstruction effort.

“I think the feeling generally is that the US has been trying to help the people of Pakistan and I hope that’s what prevails.”

Pakistan, a key ally in the US-led war on terrorism, has condemned Friday’s strike in a tribal area bordering Afghanistan, which was aimed at al Qaeda number two Ayman Al Zawaihri but killed civilians, including women and children.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, addressing the same news conference, called the loss of lives “one unfortunate event” in a long-standing relationship with the United States.

He said he would stick to plans to leave for Washington on Tuesday, despite some calls — including from within his Pakistan Muslim League — to call the trip off.

“We want to engage on many issues, including how we fight terrorism,” Aziz said. “Pakistan is committed to the fight on terrorism, but naturally we cannot accept any action within our country which results in what happened over the weekend.

“So our relationship with the US is important, it is growing, but at the same time such actions cannot be condoned.”

Bush visited earthquake survivors at a tent camp near Islamabad yesterday but was unable to visit the quake zone itself because of poor weather, which has grounded vital relief flights since the weekend.

He said his role would be to encourage those who have pledged relief and reconstruction aid to deliver.

“Right now, with the weather and the winter ... it is very important that the relief effort go forward and that funds be available to get this done,” he said.

The October 8 quake was one of South Asia’s worst disasters, killing some 87,000 and leaving about 3 million homeless.

Aziz said donors had pledged about $6.4 billion — $4 billion in loans and $2.4 billion in grants.

A massive UN-led operation is underway, but it has only received 60 per cent of the $550 million it has sought.

“We need the generosity of donors to continue, especially until the winter is over to make sure people make it through the winter alive,” said UN spokesman Ben Malor.