Malaysia said today that it expected to hear soon from the United Nations on its offer to send 1,000 peacekeeping troops to Lebanon, and that it anticipated a favourable response.

Malaysia has readied the soldiers to leave, and Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said a decision would be made shortly, since moves had already begun for the expanded UN Interim Force in Lebanon.

"I was told it's not going to be very long, so we will wait for (the United Nations), and I think they have taken great interest in our offer," Syed Hamid told reporters.

"Now that they have finalised the terms of reference, rules of engagement, they have got the core group on the ground, then they can be calling on other countries," he said.

Malaysia is urging the UN to allow its troops to join the force, citing past peacekeeping experience and arguing it has a role to play as a member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, which it is currently chairing.

'Welcome our offer'

Fellow OIC member Indonesia announced last week that it had received the greenlight to send 1,000 soldiers, while Qatar yesterday pledged up to 300 troops.

"They recognise the fact that Malaysia is one of the OIC countries. It's good for OIC countries to be part of it like other OIC countries like Indonesia, Qatar or Brunei. So we will wait for their indication soon," Syed Hamid said.

"There is no indication that they reject our offer, they welcome our offer so we wait for the outcome," he added.

Malaysia has strongly criticised Israel for its military offensive in Lebanon, which has in turn objected to countries taking part which do not recognise the Jewish state.

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