Malaysian leaders from both sides of the political divide stood together in an immediate reaction to strongly condemn the attack o­n Iraq, which began this morning.

Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the US-led military strike o­n Iraq has set a "dangerous precedent" in international politics.

"That the war is being used as a tool to destroy a weak country and those unable to protect themselves is a dangerous precedent," he said in a 10-minute address to Malaysians at 1pm over national tv station RTM1. "And (the war) definitely has evoked the rage of international societies.

'Black moment'

The US announced its "opening stages" of military action against Baghdad at about 5.30am (10.30 Malaysian time) to pave the way for an invasion of Iraq to oust President Saddam Hussein.

The attack came about 90 minutes after the expiry of the 48-hour deadline given to Saddam and his two sons, Kusay and Uday, to leave the country.

Pentagon officials have described the early military operation against Iraq as a "decapitation attack" to eliminate Saddam.

However, they added that it cannot be ascertained whether the operation was a success since it was difficult to target a single person o­n the ground in such bombings.

Abdullah said Malaysia regretted that the US and its allies had decided to go to war without United Nations approval.

"This is a black moment in international history," he noted, adding that all quarters had opposed the war, including American and British citizens.

Abdullah also reiterated that Malaysia opposes the use of military action to resolve conflicts and that war should be the last option - and o­nly with UN approval.

'Despicable war

In an immediate reaction, Opposition Leader and PAS acting president Abdul Hadi Awang said the "despicable war must be strongly condemned".

"PAS is convinced that this war is the start of US destruction as Allah will not let any world superpower reign supreme forever," he said in a statement.

"History has shown that superpowers would eventually met their end. But what disappoints us this time is that Islam has become the target."

He urged the people to face this challenge rationally and with full patience "as we know the effects of the war will affect this country as well".

"PAS will work with the government, political parties and organisations in the country to resolve the negative effects of the war," he added.

Contingency plan

Meanwhile, DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang said that the war against Iraq has set the US against the UN, international law and world opinion.

"No o­ne will shed a tear for any end for Saddam Hussein, undoubtedly the world's most cruel dictator in the 21 ^st century, but humanity may have to pay a very heavy price if the American-led unilateral war against Iraq unleashes a new world scenario.

"(In this) the o­nly countervailing power to the lawlessness of the hyper-power is the lawlessness of the desperate and marginalised seeking salvation through new forms of international terrorism."

He urged Parliament to adjourn its "current business" to proceed to an emergency motion to convey a unanimous all-party condemnation of the war.

"(This is) for the government to lay out its contingency plan in the post-Iraq war, in particular the economic stimulus package which had been completed some time ago but held back because of the impending war," he said.

Malaysians evacuated

Meanwhile, three Royal Malaysia Air Force C-130 Hercules transport planes arrived in Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, today to evacuate Malaysians from West Asia following the outbreak of war in Iraq.

A Bernama report said the planes arrived at the Dubai International Airport at 8am (Malaysian time) after a brief stop at the Maldives for refuelling.

The RMAF commander of the evacuation mission Lt Col Ibrahim Hashim said Dubai was the 'Forward Operation Base' from where the planes would depart for various destinations such as Amman, Kuwait City and Damascus, Syria.

He added that the Malaysians would then be gathered back in Dubai before they are flown back here.

Ibrahim said two more transport planes were o­n standby at the air force base in Subang and would depart for Dubai if the situation warranted.