Abu Laith al-Libi AP PHOTO

A missile from a U.S. Predator drone struck a suspected terrorist safehouse in Pakistan and killed a top al-Qaida commander believed responsible for a brazen bomb attack during a visit last year by the U.S. vice president to Afghanistan, an American official said.

The strike that killed Abu Laith al-Libi was conducted Jan. 29 or Jan. 30 against a facility in Pakistan's north Waziristan region, the lawless tribal area bordering Afghanistan. His death was reported by postings on two Islamist Web sites and confirmed by a U.S. official Jan. 31, on condition of anonymity.