Malaysia sounded a rare Asian note of criticism over the US-led strikes in Afghanistan but put police on patrol to protect Americans as Islamic hardliners backed calls for a "jihad" or holy war. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said his government did not support the attacks because innocent people would be killed and terrorism would not be wiped out. "Our stand is that the problems that caused these terrorists to do what they did have to be looked into," he told reporters outside parliament. "We will not take any action or give any form of support."
In a statement to parliament earlier, Mahathir said: "War will only victimise the innocent. Terrorists themselves might escape. "That is why Malaysia does not agree with war against countries that are said to be protecting terrorists. It will only ruin the said country without succeeding in eradicating terrorism or terrorists." |