Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged the United States to hand over governance of Iraq to the United Nations following the bomb blast at the UN office in Baghdad.

The veteran Southeast Asian leader, in remarks published today, condemned the bomb attack which has killed at least 24 people and said he was puzzled at why it was aimed at the world body.

"I don't understand why such attacks are aimed at the UN. The world body has done nothing wrong," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times .

"The UN should be there. It should take over the management of Iraq from the Americans until Iraq is able to manage itself."

Under control

Asked if Malaysia would take extra measures during the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit here in October, Mahathir said rigorous steps taken by the government were sufficient.

"We hope nothing will happen," The Star quoted the premier, who will retire at the end of October after 22 years in office, as saying.

Mahathir, a moderate Muslim leader who strongly opposes the US-led war in Iraq, has repeatedly called for the UN to take a leading role in post-war Iraq.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has vowed the UN would not be pushed out of Iraq by the bombing which killed its top envoy there, Sergio Vieira de Mello ( photo ), but urged US-led coalition forces to provide a secure environment for it to operate. - AFP