Condolence payments for Kunduz victims' families

The United States Department of Defense will seek to make "condolence payments" to families of victims of a U.S. air strike that hit a Medecins Sans Frontiers hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, killing 22 people.

U.S. President Barack Obama had previously rung MSF, International President Joanne Liu to apologize and express his condolences following the incident.

In a statement, Pentagon spoksman Peter Cook said: "The Department of Defense believes it is important to address the consequences of the tragic incident at the Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan.

"U.S. Forces-Afghanistan has the authority to make condolence payments and payments toward repair of the hospital. USFOR-A will work with those affected to determine appropriate payments. If necessary and appropriate, the administration will seek additional authority from the Congress."