STORY:
A German diplomat leaving the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad - with 53 fellow guests dead, says he is fortunate to have survived the deadly suicide bombing with relatively few injuries.

Although shaken by the attack, his attention focused on what should happen next.

[Horst August, German Diplomat]:
"This is not only a Pakistani matter, I think this is an international matter. We have to get in contact and in dialogue with the government and offer them what we can."

With its intense security, the hotel was regarded a secure base for diplomats and wealthy businessmen, including the Czech Ambassador to Pakistan who is among the dead.

On Monday officials stood in silence during a gun salute as his coffin was loaded onto a plane for the flight home.

In Islamabad, as the city mourns the dead, there are fears of further attacks.

[Mohammad Mansha, Translator]:
"The ones who carried out the blast are the enemies of Pakistan. They want to destroy our economy, our country. They seem determined to derail whatever democracy has returned to our country."

After months of political uncertainty, the bombing has renewed calls for Pakistan to reconsider its alliance with America and military operations against Islamic militants.

But as investigations continue at the site of the attack, reports suggest operations are also continuing in militant hideouts in the Bajaur region on the border with Afghanistan - where, according to the Pakistani government, more than 600 militants have been killed since August.

Opposition leaders continue to voice their concerns - they anticipate further attacks like this in the future if the military offensive continues at the same rate.