In a strong condemnation of the US attacks on Afghanistan, PAS today described the global superpower as the 'mother of all terrorists'.

PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar said that by its action, the US has proven that it is not democratic.

"Where is the proof that Osama bin Laden had committed the (terrorist) acts and that the Taliban is harbouring him," Mahfuz told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

"America is a terrorist state and America is the leader of all terrorists," he added.

Early this morning, US and Britain launched a military strike against Afghanistan. News agency CNN reported explosions in the northeastern Afghan city of Jalalabad and the southern city of Kandahar, where the ruling Taliban's militia headquarters are located.

The retaliation came a day after US President George Bush warned the ruling Taliban that time was running out for them to hand over Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants, or face the consequences.

Osama, a Saudi exile, is the chief suspect in the Sept 11 attacks on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington where about 6,000 people are feared dead.

Mahfuz also criticised Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement today, who had earlier said that Malaysia condemned the US decision to attack Afghanistan.

According to the PAS Youth leader, Mahathir's stand contradicted Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar's statement that the government was satisfied with the US embassy's explanation on its campaign against Osama.

Open attitude

Mahfuz also urged the Organisation of Islamic Council to outrightly condemn today's attacks and to unite to support the people of Afghanistan.

"Malaysia should give its support not only to Afghanistan refugees but also to the people who are victims of the attacks today," he said.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim said that Malaysia has an open attitude towards today's incident as long as it does not involve violence around the world.

He said Malaysia was cautious about its definition of 'terrorism' because this must be in accordance with international views.

Asked if today's attacks on Afghanistan were indications that the US did not heed the prime minister's advice to Bush regarding the war, Rais said that it seemed so perhaps because Malaysia was a "small country".

"But no matter how small we are, our views are taken seriously by others, especially leaders in the Third World countries," he said.

Earlier, during a parliamentary proceeding, Mahathir said Malaysia disagreed and condemned the US attack on Afghanistan.

He said the act will not be effective in solving the problems of terrorism.

"This is not to say that there will not be any more terrorist although we do not agree with countries that harbour terrorists," he said.

Act rationally

Mahathir said it was time for Muslim leaders to act in a rational manner to restore the image of Islam in the light of these terrorist attacks.

He was challenged by PAS deputy president Abdul Hadi Awang who asked him if Malaysia has come up with a clear definition of 'terrorism'.

Hadi Awang said that according to Islam, all violence is abhorred, even in the face of attacks by other groups.

Mahathir replied that Malaysia was cautious with the definition as it varies according to situation.

"In Africa, freedom fighters who fight colonialisation such as (Kenya's first president) Jomo Kenyatta were considered terrorist in their countries, so was (Robert) Mugabe ( photo ) of Zimbabwe," he said.

"How about the Palestinian people? In this aspect, we consider the government of Israel as a terrorist as it chooses to handle its problems by violence," he added.

Mahathir was also asked his stand on Bush's statement, "Either you're with us or them", which he declared in the wake of the attacks in America.

"At that moment he may be very emotional. But when he spoke with me through the telephone he did not seem like that. He did not repeat that statement to me," said Mahathir.

"Bush seems to understand that we will handle the matter differently although we should be an ally to America when they fight against terrorism," he added.