WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States and North Korea's Asian neighbours l international outrage above its missile tests.

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States and North Korea's Asian neighbours l international outrage above its missile tests, launching sanctions, raising military alerts and urging it to revert to nuclear disarmament talks.

The United States said it was going upon the diplomatic counter-offensive and reprobateed the missile tests as provocative acts, plane though they posed no immediate threat.

"The United States firmly condemns these missile launches... We are consulting with international partners in succession next steps," said White House Pres Secretary Tony Snow.

The Pentagon confirmed that North Korea launched another missile, bringing to seven the number of missiles fired at the Stalinist state over a 24-hour period.

They included a long-range Taepodong-2 missile that failed early in flight, according to defense officials. The others were shorter-range missiles.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said North Korea may have miscalculated if it notion it would divide ...