Malaysian prime minister denies relations between his country and Israel

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Muhammad has denied an intention for his country to establish relations with Israel. He stressed that news promoted by "hostile mass media" in this respect is groundless.

In a statement to the Saudi daily al-Madina issued on Tuesday, the Malaysian prime minister said, "We do not have relations with Israel. And we do not have the intention to establish any relations with Israel, as has been promoted by enemy media which try to provoke turmoil in that there is a relations between Malaysia and Israel is groundless, aiming at distorting the image of this Muslim country, Malaysia."

Concerning Malaysian - Arab relations Mahathir Muhammad said political relations between his country and the Arab states are good. He expressed his hope that economic and trade relations with the Arab states will be elevated to the same level political relations have already reached.