(AFP) - The police said detained Philippines Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari was not involved in a series of kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf group in the resorts off Sabah last year.

Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai was quoted by Bernama as saying that there was no direct evidence pointing to Misuari's involvement with the Abu Sayyaf group.

The Abu Sayyaf last year kidnapped more than a dozen local and foreign tourists from Malaysia's Sipadan and Pandanan islands. They have all since been released after Manila waged a war against the group.

Misuari was detained Nov 24 after he fled to Sabah on Borneo island after allegedly leading an armed revolt that left more than 100 people dead.

"He is only detained for entering the country without valid documents. As stated by the prime minister, we will have him deported as soon as possible," Norian was quoted as saying late yesterday.

Misuari was being detained under the Immigration Act which allowed for a person to be kept in custody for up to a month.

'Wait for signal'

Norian said Misuari would be deported as soon as the Philippine government stated its readiness to accept him.

"The question of whether or not he will be accepted does not arise as the Philippines has requested us to detain him. They have stated that they will accept him...we are only waiting for their signal," he said.

Norian reiterated that Misuari would not be sent to a third country.

The 60-year-old former separatist guerrilla leader faces rebellion and sedition charges in Manila in connection with the bloody armed revolt by his followers in the southern Philippines last month.

Manila had earlier appealed to Kuala Lumpur to detain Misuari for the time being until the situation in the southern Philippines stabilized.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that Misuari's detention had put his government in a tight spot and that he feared his prolonged detention could sour ties with Manila.

Malaysia had refused to give Misuari asylum even though it had provided him and his guerrillas sanctuary in the early 1970s when they waged a long and bloody rebellion against Manila.