There was no official word in Washington on the circumstances of Libi's death, which coincided with intensive contacts between US and Pakistani security officials after a year in which violence escalated sharply in Afghanistan.

A Pakistani daily, The News, said the suspected US strike on Monday had targeted Libi and another senior figure, Obaidah al Masri, though residents in the tribal area had said the attack had targeted second or third tier al-Qaeda leaders.

Tribesmen had said a deputy of Libi had been staying in the area, which borders Afghanistan, and was among the dead, according to an intelligence official.