Islamabad  - The luxury Marriott Hotel in Islamabad reopened on Sunday 98 days after it was completely gutted following a suicide truck bombing that killed at least
54 people.

Business tycoon and hotel owner, Sadruddin Hashwani, lit candles in front of pictures of the victims to mark the reopening, which was also attended by US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson.

Hashwani said the hotel was more secure than ever with the implementation of an elaborate security plan that includes a 4.3- metre-high and 4.6-metre-thick bombproof wall along the facade.

The Marriott served as an oasis for diplomats and Pakistan's elite and was also a favourite with foreigners visiting the violence-hit Islamic country.

But commentators say it will take a long time for the hotel to recapture its clientele in the aftermath of the devastating September 20 blast.

Government officials blamed the outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorist organization for the bombing, which also killed Czech ambassador Ivo Zdarek and two US marines.

Pakistan has been hit by a wave of deadly attacks, mostly suicide bombings, in the wake of intensified security operations against al- Qaeda and Taliban militants hiding in the north-western tribal region bordering Afghanistan. dpa