Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today criticised the United States and its allies for launching a unilateral action against Iraq which clearly breached international law and violates the United Nations Charter.

The premier said this when moving a motion in parliament that called o­n members of the House to strongly condemn the war.

Earlier the House adjourned proceedings so that Mahathir could move the motion under Standing Orders 27 (3).

Opposing unilateral actions

Elaborating, the prime minister said there were no rational grounds for the attack and pointed out that it was launched without the support and approval of the UN Security Council.

"The unilateral military action is a pre-emptive strike...aimed at regime change in Iraq and is a violation of that country's sovereignty and territorial integrity," national news agency Bernama quoted the premier as saying.

On March 20, US and its allies started 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' by firing a volley of missiles into Iraq's capital Baghdad after President Saddam Hussein and his sons shunned a 48-hour deadline to leave the country.

On Saturday, the coalition forces rocked Baghdad and two other cities with hundreds of Tomahawk missiles and bombs. Its ground forces are also inside Iraq and are progressing towards the capital.

Although US President George W Bush claimed the campaign was aimed at ousting Saddam and unearthing the dictator's alleged weapons of mass destruction, numerous countries, including Malaysia were not convinced.

Many anti-war protest have been staged over the past few days drawing tens of thousands of people, including in major US cities.