Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has been told that he could play a bigger role in establishing more cordial ties between Muslim countries and the West at a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan last Monday.

Anwar's aide Azmin Ali told malaysiakini today that Annan has expressed his confidence that Anwar's contribution would give a positive impact in the strained ties following the Sept 11 tragedy in 2001.

"Their discussions focused on the conflicts between Islam and the West and the re-development of Indonesia's Aceh following the tsunami tragedy last December," said Azmin.

"In the discussion, Annan also said he was glad Anwar had finally been released following his six-year incarceration and that he was concerned with the treatment Anwar received while in jail."

It was Anwar's first time to meet with the UN chief following his release from prison last year.

Also present at the 45-minute reunion at the UN headquarters in New York were Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail - who is president of the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat - and UN acting Deputy Chief de Cabinet Micheal Moller.

Anwar was on a seven-day working trip to the United States, which kicked off on Feb 23.

Inconsistent policies

Azmin also said that Anwar had a lively discussion with US Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz at the Pentagon on Feb 24 where he expressed his reservation in the current unilateral approach adopted by US President George W Bush.

"Anwar told Wolfowitz that the US should take the constructive engagement approach in dealing with the Muslim countries and not be seen as an arrogant superpower".

At the same time, Anwar also pointed to the inconsistent policies of some Muslim countries which contradict the true spirit of democracy and freedom.

"While they attacked the US for taking military action against some Muslim countries, the same people also continue to oppress their own people by muzzling a free media, hindering steps for more democratic space and defend iron-fist laws like the Internal Security Act, Anwar told the US official.

The former deputy premier also stressed that the US government should withdraw its troops from Iraq immediately. He extended his support for demands for Israeli forces to leave Palestine as well as the calls for Syrian soldiers to leave Lebanon.

"In the one-hour meeting with Wolfowitz, Anwar also defended renowned religious scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qardhawi who was often wrongly condemned for supporting terrorism. Anwar said the reports quoting Qardhawi issuing an edict allowing the killing of Americans was false and done with malice," said Azmin.

The meeting with Wolfowitz was Anwar's second as the two had met in Germany while Anwar was recuperating from a back surgery.

Warm welcome

Wolfowitz is widely considered to be one of the most prominent members in the Bush administration. The 57-year old international relations expert is a forceful advocate of military action and has vowed to 'end' states sponsoring or harbouring militants.

Speaking on the seven-day working trip, Azmin said that Anwar was welcomed by US officials throughout his visit.

"Efforts were made to make our visit comfortable and Anwar is grateful. Even our arrival at the Washington Dulles Airport (on Feb 23) received warm greetings from Edward J Bolton, the deputy director of the US Homeland Security," said Azmin.

He said apart from the meetings with Annan and Wolfowitz, he had also had meetings with former US defence secretary William Cohen and former US state secretary Madeline Albright.

Azmin said Anwar has since returned to his two-month stint as a senior associate member with St Anthony's College in Oxford University where he is delivering a series of public lectures and seminars on the topic of moderate Islam.

Following his release last September, Anwar had worked hard to re-establish his close ties with government leaders in Saudi Arabia , South Africa , Indonesia , Abu Dhabi and Qatar.