(AFP) Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today called for a world conference on international terrorism in the wake of the attacks on New York and Washington.

Speaking to reporters after signing a book of condolence at the US embassy here, Mahathir said: "We need to look at terrorism as a crime that has to be addressed by the whole world.

"Islamic countries should not take side with fellow Islamic countries while non-Islamic countries should not take side with non-Islamic countries on who are their friends or enemies."

Mahathir said that a solution should be sought to resolve issues which were at the root of terrorism.

If this was not addressed, a spiral of violence would see retaliation followed by further retaliation, he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

Most reassuring

Earlier, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar welcomed US assurances that retaliation would not be aimed at Muslims and reiterated condemnation of the attacks.

"I am very happy to hear that the President (George W Bush) has made the statement that American actions are not against Muslims, whom he knows are peace loving people, but his actions are against terrorists and those people who have caused the greatest of harm."

Syed Hamid said Bush's statement showed the US government was aware of and disagreed with the equation of terrorists with Muslims, adding that this realisation was "most reassuring".