PM TO INVITE OBAMA TO MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia wants to invite new United States president, Barrack Obama, to visit the country, said Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim.

Through the visit, Obama can see for himself that Malaysia was a country of
various races and religions which was peaceful, stable and practised democracy,
he said.

"Such a visit will enhance understanding and boost bilateral relations
between Malaysia and the US," Rais said in a written reply to two opposition MP
respectively Fong Kui Lun and Fong Po Kuan who had asked if the government
planned to invite Obama to make an official visit.

Rais said with the visit bilateral ties would remain strong in all aspects
like trade, investment, education, science and technology, human resources
development and information technology development.

On Israeli threats of attacks on the Gaza Strip, Rais said Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has sent a letter to Obama to urge the US to
play its role on the United States Security Council to ensure that Israel did
not do so.

Malaysia also urged the US to use its influence to deploy UN troops to
ensure the ceasefire.

"Malaysia has also urged involved parties to continue efforts in the peace
process and implemet and observe all UN resolutions on the Palestinian and
Arab-Israel conflict," he said.

Malaysia also hoped the US would be a responsible world leader especially in
the Middle East peace process besides being sincere in having good relations
with the Islamic world as stated by it.

-- BERNAMA