A top US defence official touring Asia to drum up support for action against Iraq was given a strong anti-war message by Malaysia today.

Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton was told that while Malaysia wanted Iraq to comply with UN disarmament resolutions a war would not be popular among Muslim countries or developing nations.

Briefing reporters after meeting Bolton, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia's message was that war would create instability in many countries, drain the focus from international terrorism and hinder economic recovery.

"We want Iraq to comply with the UN resolutions but at the same time we think that the UN process should be allowed to take its course before any decision is made," he said.

Malaysia, which takes over the chairmanship of the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference later this year, also cautioned that the UN's multilateral system "should not be used to legitimise unilateral action".