The United States today defended the use of military trials for "war on terror" suspects, which have been suspended following a ruling by a federal judge.

"We believe that it's important that people engaged in acts of terrorism against the US or against US allies be brought to justice," visiting US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur.

"Our objective all along here is to ensure that people are brought to justice and that they have a fair opportunity to present their case."

The Supreme Court has said it would give a ruling in 2006 on the disputed military trials for "war on terror" detainees, which have been criticized as a violation of basic human rights.

Gonzalez said if the Supreme Court ruled against the military trials, "We will abide by the decision of the court."

If the court "tells us we need to stop, we will do it. We will of course respect and honour that," he said.

He said the US would also "not back off an inch in terms of speaking out in favour of human rights."

"We understand what our legal obligations are. We believe in the rule of law and we are fully committed to ensure that basic human rights are respected all around the world."

Gonzalez, who is on a one-day trip to Malaysia, met with his Malaysian counterpart Abdul Gani Patail. They discussed various issues including the global fight against terror and software piracy.

Gonzalez is the first US attorney general to make an official trip to Malaysia since Robert Kennedy in 1964.

Intense debate

The United States on Tuesday suspended its disputed military trials for "war on terror" detainees after a ruling by a federal judge on Monday.

The move comes ahead of an anticipated ruling by the US Supreme Court on the legality of the special military tribunals set up after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The treatment and legal rights of detainees at Guantanamo, whom the United States has classified as enemy combatants falling outside the Geneva conventions, have been the subject of intense debate and international criticism.

Around 500 detainees are being held without charge at the military-run prison at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.

Most of the inmates were captured in Afghanistan and Pakistan after a US-led offensive toppled the Taliban government in Kabul in late 2001.

President George W. Bush's administration devised the special military commissions to try the detainees but critics say the tribunals lack basic legal safeguards.