Malaysia has called on the United Nations to take immediate action against Israel for violating the uneasy truce which ended the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who chairs the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said he was surprised the UN had not taken action after Israel launched a raid in southern Lebanon last Saturday.

On Sunday UN chief Kofi Annan criticised Israel over the commando raid, saying it was a violation of the ceasefire deal.

Israel insisted it would not hesitate to carry out more raids to prevent alleged cross-border arms smuggling to Hezbollah from Syria.

Abdullah said the violation of the UN resolution showed Israel did not respect the world body and could not be trusted.

No Malaysian troops

"All the countless decisions made by the UN they (Israel) disregarded but what is most worrying is why the UN does not take action against Israel," he said according to the official Bernama news agency.

"If it was some other country, a little wrongdoing will attract all kinds of actions and threats (from the UN)," he added.

Abdullah said that in the face of Israeli opposition, the UN also appeared hesitant to take up Malaysia's offer to send some 1,000 troops to join a UN-controlled peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

"They (UN) are afraid because Israel does not agree," he said.

Israel has said it will not accept troops from countries such as Malaysia with which it has no diplomatic relations.