(CNN) -- U.S. President Barack Obama called Pakistan's president Sunday to express condolences over the airstrike that killed 24 soldiers near the Afghanistan border more than a week ago, the White House said in a statement. "The president made clear that this regrettable incident was not a deliberate attack on Pakistan and reiterated the United States' strong commitment to a full investigation," the statement said. "The two presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship, which is critical to the security of both nations, and they agreed to stay in close touch." The conversation between Obama and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was the latest bid to address strained relations between the two nations after a NATO airstrike killed the Pakistani troops on November 26.
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Obama says the airstrike "was not a deliberate attack on Pakistan," the White House says
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White House: Obama and Zardari reaffirm their commitment to U.S.-Pakistan relations
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The conversation is the latest bid to address strained relations between the two nations
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A NATO airstrike killed 24 Pakistani troops on November 26
Pakistan has taken several steps aimed at @placeholder since the attack.