(AFP) - Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein has urged the government to deport Philippines Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari immediately.

Hishamuddin who is also the Youth and Sports Minister said Misuari should not be held in Malaysia for long.

"I hope a decision will be made soon (to deport Misuari). There is no reason to delay it," Bernama quoted him as saying today in Pahang.

But PAS is pressing for the conviction of Misuari for illegal entry into Malaysia.

"Charge him in court first," Fadzil Noor, PAS president told AFP .

Rebellion charges

Misuari, who was arrested last Saturday off an island in Sabah, is facing rebellion charges in connection with an armed revolt last week in the southern Philippines.

Misuari reportedly staged the revolt after Philippine President Gloria Arroyo backed a rival faction in his Moro National Liberation Front in polls for the post of governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had earlier said Misuari would not be granted asylum by, which gave him and his guerrillas sanctuary in the early 1970s.

Mahathir had criticised Misuari's faction for failing to develop their region, where he had been governor since signing a treaty with Manila in 1996.