UN says US drones violate Pakistan's sovereignty
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ISLAMABAD (AP) - The head of a United Nations team investigating casualties from United States drone strikes in Pakistan declared after a secret research trip to the country that the attacks violate Pakistan's sovereignty.
Ben Emmerson, the UN special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, said the Pakistani government made clear to him that it does not consent to the strikes - a position that has been disputed by U.S. officials.
President Barack Obama has stepped up covert CIA drone strikes targeting Al Qaeda and Taleban militants in Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border since he took office in 2009.
The strikes have caused growing controversy because of the secrecy surrounding them and claims that they have caused significant civilian casualties - allegations denied by the United States.
