“We've said that overcoming the problem of terrorism by killing people and by the incursion and invasion of their countries, there'll be horrible consequences," Mahathir

By Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia correspondent

Kuala Lumpur, May 18 (IslamOnline.net) - Malaysia’s Prime Minister on Sunday, May 18, once again lambasted world leaders for their handling of the Terrorism issue, arguing that the Morocco attacks is the direct result of the anti-terror policies as well as the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

"We've said that overcoming the problem of terrorism by killing people and by the incursion and invasion of their countries, there'll be horrible consequences. Now, let's just watch what's happening," Mahathir Mohamad was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

The prime minister said that he had from the beginning stated that there should be a stop to the Israeli aggression on Palestinians as it had caused many Muslims to be angered and they want to take revenge.

"But they feel that for one of them killed, they'll kill 10. If there're more, we'll conquer your country and topple the government...it seems they can out-terrorize the terrorists.

"It may be true, but I see that there's still going to be this kind of attacks in many places," he said when asked to comment on the suicide bomb attacks in Morocco's biggest city, Casablanca, in which 46 people were killed and scores more wounded.

Mahathir has been one of the strongest adversaries to the use of military force in the war against terrorism and he constantly reminded the U.S. and its allies that an eye for an eye would not solve the terrorist problem.

He was the U.S. best ally after September 11, 2001, when he rounded up scores of terror suspects and arrested them for their possible involvement in terror activities.

Mahathir also gave total support to the U.S. and to neighboring nations in trying to trace and tackle terror money and the movements of suspected terrorists in the south East Asian region.

On Monday, at least 34 people including eight Americans were killed in the suicide bombings of expatriate housing compounds in the Saudi Arabia capital, Riyadh.

Three Malaysians including a couple staying at the Al-Hamra compound sustained minor injuries when glass splinters from the blasts hit them.

Mahathir, however, said he could not rule out completely that terrorists may attack in Malaysia, which is a free country where people of all barriers and countries are welcomed.

"I cannot rule out completely with (regards to) Malaysia but we've taken every precaution and we know that Malaysia is safe.

"The people who are not safe are the people who attacked other countries and killed people. If they attacked and killed people, no matter where they are, they're not safe," he said.

He constantly relate the Palestinian issue to the war on terror and urged the U.S. and its allies to be more responsive to the call of the Muslims world wide in tackling the Palestinian issue with diplomacy and firmness towards Israel.

He noted that there was still not enough being done to stop Israeli aggression against the Palestinians, which was causing a lot of anger among Muslims.

Mahathir is set to take over the post of Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in October 2003  after he steps down from power as Prime Minister in Malaysia.