Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday told a special session of parliament that the US-led attack o­n Iraq was a "cowardly and imperialist" act which would spark more terrorism.

The veteran leader, who took time out from a two-month holiday to address parliament, won a rare show of support from major opposition parties for a motion condemning the war.

"It is a black day in history when a superpower with its allies attacks a country incapable of defending itself, much less threatening another country.

"What is sad is that they launch a massive attack using the most high-tech weapons and mass-bombing o­n Iraq, which has been told to destroy their defence capabilities. This is unfair," he said.

Living in fear

Mahathir, who was thanked by US President George W Bush at the White House less than a year ago for his support in the war o­n terrorism, said the Iraq conflict was "an imperialist act by those who still want to rule the world".

He told parliament that although he did not believe the Iraq conflict was a war of Christians against Muslims, the US action to impose puppet governments in the Middle East would lead to the spread of terrorism.

"The world will not be safe. People will live in perpetual fear."

Mahathir said the United States had betrayed world trust by ignoring the United Nations and throwing international law out of the window.

At a news conference later, he rejected a call by unionists here for Malaysia to cut diplomatic ties with the United States, saying the action taken by the US government did not reflect the opinions of most Americans. AFP