The leader of Algeria's Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), Abbasi al-Madani, yesterday sent a message of peace and reconciliation to the Algerian people from Malaysia, where is receiving medical treatment, his son said.

Abbasi, who was released in July after 11 years in detention, is banned from politics in his homeland.

His son, Iqbal Abassi Madani, is travelling with Abbasi and told AFP in a telephone interview his father wanted peace and reconciliation in his homeland.

"There must be end to violence in Algeria. We are going to see light after so many years of violence in the country. He is calling for peace," he said.

Exemplary state

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar earlier yesterday denied reports that Abbasi was in Malaysia, a moderate Muslim country, but Iqbal Madani said: "My father came through normal immigration channels.

"My father choose Malaysia to air his views, because this country is an example where people of various religions live in harmony."

Prime Dr Minister Mahathir, who has been in power in this mainly Muslim country for the past 22 years, made an official visit to Algeria earlier this month.

Abbasi, 72, and his deputy Ali Belhadj who was released at the same time, are blamed by opponents for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Algerians in the country's 11-year civil war.

Iqbal Madani did not specify what medical treatment his father was seeking or how long he would stay in the country.

"He is calling on the Algerian people to unite for progress. It is time for national reconciliation," he said.

House arrest

Abbasi was jailed by a military court in 1992 for threatening state security. Earlier the same year, legislative elections his party was set to win were called off by the army and, two months later, the FIS was banned.

Some of the party's diehard backers took up arms and plunged the country into a civil war that still pits armed Islamic groups against government forces and has left more than 100,000 dead.

Abbasi was freed from prison in 1997 and placed under house arrest at his home in the capital.

After his release in July he was issued with a court order barring him from speaking in public or resuming political activities. - AFP