updated version

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today reiterated the government's stand that it was against any war against any Muslim nation.

"War against these countries will not be effective in fighting terrorism," said Mahathir at a press conference in Parliament.

"Our stand is that the problems that provoked these terrorists to do what they did have to be looked into. We will not take any action or give any form of support," he added.

He also said the late night attack by the United States-led coalition yesterday on Kabul and the Taliban command centre in Kandahar, both in Afghanistan, should not be seen as an assault on the Muslim world.

"The US stand is very clear. They are against what they believe are terrorist hubs."

The military strikes were in retaliation to the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Mahathir also said that he did not expect an outburst of violence from Malaysians against US nationals and embassy here following the military strikes.

He, however, envisaged concerned people submitting memoranda of protest to the US embassy in the days to come and urged them to do it peacefully.

"We will not tolerate anyone who supports violence and will act against these irresponsible people or anyone who backs terrorism."