South African President Thabo Mbeki has held talks with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the possibility of sharing experiences relating to the establishment of the counter-terrorism centre in Kuala Lumpur.

The president said South Africa is interested in finding out if any lessons could be drawn with regard to increasing international cooperation on counter-terrorism measures.

"The prime minister briefed me on some of the things (that have taken place) in Malaysia (such as) action taken against Malaysians trained by al-Qaeda and (who) have been involved in all sorts of ways in terrorism in other countries," he told a press conference to wrap up his three-day visit to Malaysia.

"We want to draw on these experiences and see in what ways we can (increase) our own contribution."

Mbeki ( left ) said although South Africa does not face a similar level of terrorism concerns, the country did have to deal with a group of terrorists in the past.

"There was a small group in the past that received some training and participated in some bombing campaigns around Cape Town, but the security and law enforcement agencies acted quite strongly. A lot of these people have now appeared in courts and have been sentenced," he said.

Rectifying racial imbalance

On the prospects of Malaysia-South Africa relations following Mahathir's prospective retirement, Mbeki said bilateral ties would remain strong under the leadership of future prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"I have known the deputy prime minister for many years. He is very much part of the leadership as we developed relations between the two countries...There certainly won't be any changes in terms of policy, in terms of cooperation. We will continue in this direction," he said.

Among the highlights of his trip were the signing of two agreements. The first was to increase economic, scientific, technical and cultural co-operation between the two countries.

The leaders also signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a joint commission for the implementation of the agreement to step-up cooperation.

"The good relations have developed to the extent that both countries feel it necessary for a formal structure (to be established)," Mbeki said.

"It will also strengthen cooperation with regard to international challenges such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the United Nations and (issues relating to) the Middle East peace process."

In addition, he said the African Union has started discussions with Asean on ways to strengthen trade ties and intensify south-south cooperation.

Commenting on the likelihood of South Africa being pressured by WTO policies to scale down its affirmative action policies, Mbeki said this would not take place until inequities resulting from the country's apartheid legacy have been addressed.

"We couldn't say that there is a democratic, peaceful and stable South Africa if we do not address this," he said.

"I do not imagine there would be anybody in the world who would say there is some international agreement which requires (us to) perpetuate a racist legacy."

He said no international obligations could impose a requirement for any country not to address the issue of persistent racial imbalance.

"Certainly we would contest that very strongly," he added.