Malaysia has urged the United States to review its treatment of Iraqi prisoners, saying failure to do so would damage its international image and credibility.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Saturday the US should not only apologize over abuses by American troops but also must take tough action to punish those responsible.

"Those involved in the abuses must receive tough punishment and the US must review the treatment of prisoners," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

Malaysia currently chairs the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Najib, who is also Defence Minister, warned that unless the US carried out the changes, its international image and credibility would be affected.

Morals and respect

When asked to comment on US President George W Bush's apology for the abuse and humiliation dealt out by American forces to Iraqi prisoners, Najib said: "If we are a country that has lost its morals, others will not respect us. This will make our role to resolve conflict difficult."

Television footage broadcast here last week showed inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, some naked, in humiliating, sexually suggestive poses.

Some images also showed US military personnel pointing and laughing at prisoners.

Malaysia had earlier described the alleged abuse as "very obnoxious behaviour with no respect for humanity", and has urged the US and Britain to ensure investigations undertaken would not seek to justify the abuse. - AFP