Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said Malaysia is intent on sending peacekeeping troops to Lebanon but is still awaiting the green light from the United Nations.

Malaysia has offered to send 1,000 soldiers to Lebanon to boost an expanded UN force, although Israel has objected because the two countries do not have diplomatic ties.

"(The UN) have not made a decision. The UN is now only asking European nations to send the peacekeepers," Abdullah was quoted as sayin by Bernama over the weekend.

"But Malaysia is firm on its stand to send our peacekeepers once we get the call from the UN," he said.

Malaysia has urged the United Nations to allow its soldiers to join the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) despite Israel's objections to countries taking part which do not recognise the Jewish state.

Indonesia, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, said Friday that Tel Aviv had dropped objections to its participation, and that Jakarta would send up to 1,000 troops.

Still optimistic

Deputy premier Najib Abdul Razak said on Sunday Malaysia had not received any indication from the UN on approval for its troops, but was still optimistic.

"We are still hopeful and we have told the UN secretary-general that we are very keen to send our troops to Lebanon," Najib, who also serves as defence minister, was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Malaysia strongly criticised Israel during its military offensive in Lebanon, but says its troops, which have gained experience on peacekeeping missions in other countries, would be impartial.

European nations have pledged 7,000 troops to UNIFIL, including 2,000 from France, which will lead the UN force until February when Italy will take over.

Malaysia is the current chair of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and Abdullah said his preference was to have peacekeepers from OIC countries and European troops in Lebanon, Bernama reported.

Najib said the government had discussed troop deployments with Indonesia and Brunei, and that Malaysia wanted to participate in UNIFIL alongside Indonesia.