Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra did not accuse Malaysia of harbouring terrorists from southern Thailand, said Thai Defence Minister General Thammarak Isarangura.

Media reports, which he described as 'inaccurate', had claimed that Thaksin accused Malaysia of sheltering terrorists from Thailand's southern province, which is being rocked by violence.

He also reportedly said that Malaysia was allowing these terrorists to undergo militant training in certain parts of the country.

Malaysia issued a strong denial over the matter and politicians here were up in arms over the accusations.

"It was not accurate...what (Thai) Prime Minister meant was some wrongdoers were crossing the Malaysian border after committing offences," Thanmarak was quoted as saying in a Bernama report

He was speaking at a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Earlier the duo jointly chaired the 45th Thailand-Malaysia General Border committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Border security

On the extradition of terrorists, Najib, who is also defence minister, said any such request would be dealt with on a bilateral basis.

He said Malaysia would continue to play its role in helping southern Thailand to ensure peace and stability in the region.

This included beefing up security at the Malaysia-Thai border and exchanging intelligence information to curb terrorism and crime, he said.

Thammarak said priority would be given towards establishing peace and stability in southern Thailand before developing the education and economic sector of the populace.

Over the months, there have been a series of bombings in the Muslim-dominated southern Thailand.

The general border committee meeting aims to promote cooperation for peace, security and stability along the common border by resolving the common problem as well as developing and promoting matters of mutual interest in the border areas.

Najib said the meeting expressed concern over the present situation in southern Thailand which has a direct impact on social and economic activities in the border areas.

The next meeting will be held in Thailand in May 2006.