(AFP) The government today said it would proceed with a major international defence show next month despite being hit by withdrawals after the September 11 terror attacks on the US.

The US airforce has pulled out its Thunderbirds aerobatic team and 17 jetfighters and bombers from the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2001 (LIMA 2001), said Defence minister Najib Tun Razak.

US aircraft manufacturer Gulf Stream and Casa from Spain have also withdrawn from the October 8-14 biennial event in Langkawi, Najib was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

The minister said the withdrawals had caused LIMA 2001 to be short of its target to display 66 aircraft of all sorts including military, commercial and freighters.

To make up for the shortfall, he said the Malaysian airforce would increase its number of aircraft.

A defence ministry official told AFP that security would be tightened by mounting more security personnels, lighting up the entire area and sealing off the aircraft exhibit area at night.

Although the Thunderbirds had pulled out, he said Britain's Red Arrows team and Glamov from Russia were expected to participate but a scheduled Pakistan submarine visit may not materialise.

He said the ministry had expected some 600 exhibitors from 32 countries including Russia, Britain, France, Italy, South Africa and India but the September 11 terror strikes on the US had led to some withdrawals. He gave no further details.

Flights suspended

Meanwhile Malaysia Airlines System Bhd today announced it had suspended its twice weekly flights to the Pakistani city of Karachi amid growing fears of a US retaliation against neighbouring Afghanistan.

A MAS spokesman told AFP flights to Karachi on September 30, October 4 and October 7 had been cancelled. "The situation will be reviewed on a weekly basis," the spokesman said.

MAS, which flies to Karachi every Thursday and Sunday, joined Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, two Chinese carriers, Singapore Airlines and Gulf Air who all cancelled services earlier this week.

The ruling Taliban militia in Afghanistan are believed to be sheltering Osama bin Laden, whom Washington blames for the September 11 terror strikes in New York and Washington.