Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has ordered the Defence Ministry to prepare for a pullout of Malaysians in Iraq and the neighbouring countries should the US-led war against Iraq prove an eventuality.

According to national news agency Bernama , Abdullah said the government was ready to close down its embassy in Iraq if the situation deteriorates.

He was speaking to reporters after chairing the Barisan Nasional management committee meeting at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Abdullah, who is also Home Minister and Acting Finance Minister, said Mindef would take charge of the operation with advice from Wisma Putra.