KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (IslamOnline.net) - The aftermath of the war on Iraq is still dominating the headlines in Indonesia and Malaysia, with both countries making it clear that they do not want a puppet regime in Baghdad while the Philippines said it wanted the UN to have a larger role in reshaping Iraq‘s political future in the post Saddam era.

The Indonesian government is now canvassing for a United Nations role in the new administration to be set up by the U.S., adding that it does not want a puppet government of the U.S. and its allies in Baghdad.

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda was quoted by Antara news agency as saying that the new Iraqi regime should be representative of the people and should be legitimate. “The UN holds the key for that,” he added on Sunday, April 13.

Indonesia and several other nations of the Non-Aligned Movement have asked the UN to quickly send weapons inspectors back into the country, he said.

"It is the duty of the UN to conduct a clarification, once again, of whether the weapons of mass destruction really exist," Hassan said.

The alleged weapons were the stated reason for the U.S.-led attacks, but none have so far been found. This has left the people in the South East Asian region to believe that U.S. war against Iraq had ulterior motives, including political and economic.

Iraq’s oil is important for the U.S. economy and controlling Iraq politically and militarily reduces serious destabilization threats for Israel, said experts in the region.

Wirayuda has also said President Megawati Soekarnoputeri was expected to discuss the Iraq issue during her upcoming visit to Russia as the two countries share the same views on the subject.

"The latest situation in Iraq has made the forthcoming visit to Russia more significant because Indonesia has to enhance relations with Russia," the Minister said here on Sunday.

Soekarnoputri has said that the United Nations must play a role following the war in Iraq.

This should include being involved in the forming of a transitional government in Iraq, the reconstruction process in Iraq and the provision of humanitarian aid for Iraqi people.

Malaysia’s acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has welcomed the United States' decision to get the United Nations involved in reconstruction and humanitarian work in Iraq.

Badawi said Malaysia was confident that the world body could implement this task well because of its experience in matters related to reconstruction and humanitarian assistance, reported Bernama on Sunday.

However, it would be better for the U.S. to allow the UN to also participate in the political rehabilitation process in Iraq, he said.

He said this when commenting on U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement that the U.S. did not want the UN to be involved in the political rehabilitation process in Iraq but would give it a role in reconstruction and humanitarian work.

Abdullah said the UN's involvement in political rehabilitation in Iraq was important to gain the support of the international community for the world body.

"It would be good if the U.S. can get the UN involved in the political rehabilitation process in Iraq. This is important to get the support of the international community for the UN," he said.

Badawi also said Malaysia was firm in its opposition to settlement of conflicts through war because it inflicted damages to both sides.

He said he was confident that Malaysia could resolve whatever problems and challenges peacefully without triggering fights over racial and religious issues.

"We need to settle problems through consultation and understanding although it takes a longer period and requires patience.

"Nobody can come out of the war unscathed without any injuries and destruction," he said.

The Philippines, which had allied itself with the United States in its war with Iraq, has also said it was in favor of an increased United Nations role in the long-term development of that country.

Filipino Foreign Secretary Blas Ople said to Inq7 news agency that it was acceptable that the U.S. and Britain take an active role in Iraq’s immediate concerns but that the UN should have a hand in rebuilding the country.

"I expect that for the near and immediate term, the United States and its allies on the ground would have an important and direct role," Ople said in a statement on Sunday.

"But I believe that once (the coalition forces) have addressed the immediate needs, the United Nations should have and will have an increased role" in rebuilding Iraq.