TOKYO - Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said the US-led global anti-terror campaign was targetting Muslims and warned such action would only breed more violence.

"Sanctions have been applied against more Muslim countries than others," Mahathir, who arrived in Tokyo on Thursday, said in a speech delivered at the United Nations University in Tokyo.

"While Iraq, Iran and North Korea are labelled as the axis of evil, action is concentrated only on Iraq and Iran, Muslim countries," he said.

Iraq, Iran and North Korea were lumped together in an "axis of evil" by US President George W Bush this year. All were accused of developing and spreading weapons of mass destruction.

"Muslims condemn these acts of terror as much as non-Muslims and most of them have shown a willingness to cooperate in the fight against terrorism," the vociferous critic of Washington said.

"But their contribution does not free them from suspicion. The net result is anger, bitterness and frustration among the Muslims. The net result, simply stated, is their terror attacks."

'Play a bigger role'

Mahathir said recent terror attacks were driven by Islamic militants' "feeling of extreme hatred for the people they identify as their enemies, largely America and other white people and also the Jews".

"So (they feel) the world is against them. You will see these things happen... in Southeast Asia, in Africa... It (terrorism) will happen anywhere in the world," he said.

Mahathir called on Japan to play a role in bridging the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims.

"I think Japan has a very good role to play... Japan can persuade friends in Europe, in America that you can increase your security and you can increase your defences, (but) those are not the total answer," Mahathir said.

"You have to do that. But you have also to solve the problems of their perception of the Muslims."

Mahathir also condemned Australian Prime Minister John Howard's recent statement that his country would mount pre-emptive anti-terror strikes on neighbouring nations if necessary.

"For example, if Australia suspects that there are some people in Malaysia planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Australia, then Australia has a right to take action in Malaysia without telling us," he said. "At that rate, no country is going to feel safe."

Allow for plurality

Mahathir also called on the international community to accept different political systems.

"We should allow for plurality, not just one single system," Mahathir said.

"Today, you are only allowed democracy. 'If you are not democratic, I will starve you to death. I will apply sanctions. I will bomb your country'," he said.

"Is bombing your country democratic? Okay, you have to propagate democracy. But propagate it in a democratic way," he said.

Before the speech, Mahathir had lunch with Japanese Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa and affirmed their joint efforts to sign a free trade accord in the future, news agencies said.

Mahathir, who also serves as finance minister, told Shiokawa that his country was ready to "positively" work on a plan to sign a free trade treaty with Tokyo, Jiji Press news agency said.

"Cooperation with Malaysia is important. We also want to make an effort," Shiokawa was quoted as replying.

Mahathir and Shiokawa also agreed on the need to maintain stability in Asian currencies, news agencies said.

Earlier, Mahathir visited the DisneySea themepark near Tokyo and was scheduled to visit the northern Japanese city of Sendai late Friday. He is scheduled to return home on Dec 16. AFP