The government today pressed the United Nations to prevent a war in Iraq with Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi warning that it would be perceived as aimed at Muslims.

Abdullah, who is filling in for a vacationing Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad before formally taking over in October, said "we can o­nly hope that the United States and its allies decide against going to war" amid growing protests worldwide.

"War in Iraq might be perceived to be a war against Muslims and Islam. That's why we don't want war, that's why we are against it," he said at a talk organised by Malaysia's Oxbridge Society.

Abdullah pledged that Malaysia would do "whatever we can to ensure there'll be no military action against Iraq" but said it was up to the United Nations to ensure peace.

"We believe the UN is well placed to play the role, although Kofi Annan is very much under pressure," he said.