World Bank chief says shocked by death of Bhutto

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick said on Thursday that he was shocked and saddened by the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

"This tragedy will only hinder Pakistan's critical agenda of meeting the urgent needs of its many citizens," said Zoellick in a statement.

"On behalf of the World Bank Group, I would like to extend my sympathies and deepest condolences to Ms. Bhutto's family and to the families of the other victims of this tragic event," he added.

Bhutto, 54, died in a hospital on Thursday after a suspected suicide bombing rocked her election rally at the Liaquat Bagh parkin Rawalpindi, some 30 km south of Islamabad.

At least 10 people were killed in the blast.