The war of words over the fate of Philippine rebel leader Nur Misuari continued today with the Malaysian government vowing to set him free after his 30-day detention.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Misuari is free of any criminal charges in Malaysia except illegal entry, which empowered the government to detain him for only 30 days.

Misuari, who was arrested on Nov 24 by Malaysian authorities after fleeing from southern Philippines to Sabah, will be released when his detention expires on Dec 24.

Mahathir told reporters this after giving Hari Raya gifts to about 5,000 people at the Kuala Lumpur mosque.

He reiterated his hopes that Manila would take Misuari back "as soon as possible".

"If Manila wants him back, we will send him back. If not we have to send him to another country that may grant him asylum," he said, adding that Malaysia has no interest in giving the rebel leader political asylum.

Unfriendly act

Manila has repeatedly said that it wanted Misuari deported back to the Philippines, where he would be charged with rebellion for allegedly instigating the Nov 19 attack in Jolo, Sulu, that killed at least 113 people.

However, Manila has been slow in giving the green light to the Malaysian authorities for Misuari's deportation.

Meanwhile, Misuari had applied to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur for political asylum through his lawyer in Washington DC last month.

However, Malaysia was today warned against giving Misuari safe passage to a third country. A Philippine senator said today that this would be tantamount to giving Misuari asylum.

Senator Rodolfo Biazon, vice-chairperson of the senate committee on defence, said Misuari should immediately be repatriated to "face charges under the laws of the republic".

"Any country that will release him or provide him asylum should be considered as committing an unfriendly act towards the government of the Philippines," the AFP quoted Biazon, a former Marine general and armed forces chief.