LONDON: Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad has asked Britian to convey to the United States the deep concern of the Muslim world regarding the direction of the global war on terrorism.
Any action taken by the US should not be seen as against the Muslim world, the Prime Minister told Malaysian journalists after a 40-minute discussion with his British counterpart Tony Blair yesterday.
Blair is scheduled to hold talks at the White House with US President George W. Bush,who is reported to be preparing for the second phase of the war on terrorism, basically targeting Iraq.
Asked whether he discussed the question of Iraq with Blair, Dr Mahathir said that he did.
He stressed that there was a need to take a balanced view on the issue, such as on the question of Palestine.
Both issues - the war on terrorism and the Palestine issue - were of deep concern to Muslims around the world, said Dr Mahathir, adding that the West should not give the impression that the Islamic world was under attack.
He emphasised in his discussions with Blair that he was conveying the views not only of the Government of Malaysia but also the deep concern of Muslim masses throughout the world.
He also discussed bilateral issues with Blair such as the need to provide more educational facilities for Malaysians to study in Britain.