Pledge to 'liquidate' Pearl killers

Investigators have been told to increase their efforts

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says he will "liquidate" the killers of US journalist Daniel Pearl and other terrorists from his country.

Our resolve increases ... to move against them and liquidate them entirely from the country

General Pervez Musharraf

President Musharraf said the killing had only increased his government's resolve to fight terrorism in Pakistan and in the region "with all our force".

The search for the 38-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter's killers is being stepped up after the president vowed to apprehend "each and every one of the gang of terrorists".

US President George W Bush has spoken by telephone with his Pakistani counterpart about the journalist's murder, describing it as "barbaric".

He also warned extremists not to target Americans abroad.

Prime suspect

Mr Pearl was abducted in Pakistan in January as he tried to meet Islamic militants while researching links between extremists and Richard Reid, the alleged "shoe bomber".

The kidnappers had issued ultimatums

Officials in Karachi said on Thursday evening a videotape showing scenes of Pearl's throat being cut had been received by US and Pakistani officials.

Pakistani police are looking for four more accomplices, using descriptions provided by a journalist who delivered the videotape, said Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider.

Pearl's body is yet to be found, and it remains unclear when or where he was killed.

But Pakistani authorities believe they are already holding a prime suspect of the abduction, British-born Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and three accomplices.

Mr Haider said Pakistani authorities knew the additional suspects' names and identities.

He also said that Pakistan needed the help of the world community to fight terrorism after Mr Pearl's murder.

"From this professionally executed act of terror, we can see that stronger action is required against these criminals and terrorists," he said.

Determination

Speaking on state television, President Musharraf was clear that every conceivable measure would be taken in the search for Mr Pearl's killers.

"I think our resolve increases with such acts to move more strongly against all such terrorists and those organizations that perpetrate such terrorism, to move against them and liquidate them entirely from the country.

Those who would engage in criminal, barbaric acts need to know that these crimes only hurt their cause

President Bush

"I am going to take this opportunity to express my resolve and the resolve of my government to move strongly, with all our force, against terrorism in Pakistan."

Speaking at his hotel in Beijing on the last day of his Asian tour, President Bush said the war on terror could only be pursued with deepened resolve.

"Laura and I and the American people are deeply saddened to learn about the loss of Daniel Pearl's life.

"We are really sad for his wife and his parents and his friends and colleagues who have been clinging to hopes for weeks that he would be found alive."

Sympathy

President Bush expressed special sympathy for Mr Pearl's wife Mariane's unborn baby, "who will now know his father only through the memory of others".

Sheikh Omar changed his statements frequently

"All Americans are sad and angry to learn of the murder," President Bush said.

"May God bless Daniel Pearl.

"Those who would threaten Americans, those who would engage in criminal, barbaric acts need to know that these crimes only hurt their cause, and only deepen the resolve of the United States of America to rid the world of these agents of terror."

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Mr Musharraf had taken Mr Pearl's death badly as he had done everything within his power to prevent it.

A statement issued by Mr Pearl's family said that they believed "no human being would be capable of harming such a gentle soul".