Jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim urged the United States to act with restraint and to allow the people of Iraq to resolve Saddam Hussein's dictatorship.

In a brief press statement issued through his lawyer Sankara Nair to malaysiakini yesterday, Anwar said a war would o­nly bring catastrophe for many, namely the Muslim world.

"The intended aggression o­n Iraq is deplorable. It would o­nly result in great tragedy for the Arabs and the Muslim world," said Anwar.

"The US administration must act with restraint. It is for the people and for the democratic forces within Iraq to resolve the dictatorship of Saddam," he added.