The British government confirmed Wednesday that around 60 children of diplomats and staff at Britain's High Commission in Pakistan will be repatriated following the recent bombing of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, according to DPA. The Foreign Office in London said the withdrawal of the children - all under the age of 8 - from the Pakistani capital was the result of a security review, but not in response to a specific threat. A statement said partners and spouses would also be offered the opportunity to return to Britain if they wished to do so. The move is in response to a review of security following last month's hotel bombing in which at least 60 people were killed. Six British citizens, including a child, were among the 300 people injured in the attack. It was reported that two of the wounded Britons worked at the High Commission. "The core work of the High Commission will not be affected. The UK is committed to maintaining its strong relationship with Pakistan, especially at this difficult time," said the statement. It said that in view of the heightened threat to Westerners in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar the government advised British nationals against all non-essential travel. "We also advise against using major international hotels which are frequented by Westerners at this time," the Foreign Office statement said.
