Malaysia denies intention to establish relations with Israel

Malaysia on Tuesday denied reports it intended to establish diplomatic relations with Israel unless a peaceful settlement is reached in the Middle East.

In a statement, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar said that Malaysia will not establish diplomatic relations or even non-diplomatic relations with Israel unless a comprehensive settlement is maintained for the conflict in the Middle East.

Al-Bar asserted Malaysia's unwavering stand towards Israel and refused the reports which said that Malaysian President Mahateir Muhammad has recently asked Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid to play a mediating role in this regard.

Earlier "An economic view for the Far East" magazine quoted Indonesian President Abdul Rahman Wahid as saying to reporters who accompanied him on the tour he recently made of the Middle East that Malaysia asked his country to work to improve Kuala Lampur's relations with Israel.