Malaysia on Saturday hailed U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's assertion that the Iraq war was illegal and called for the withdrawal of coalition forces. Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Annan's comments vindicated Malaysia's stand that the military action in Iraq was a violation of the United Nations Charter and international laws. "Following Kofi Annan's statement, all American troops and those of its allies should pull out from Iraq as soon as possible to enable Iraqis to decide on their future," Syed Hamid was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama. Annan told British Broadcasting Corp. radio on Wednesday that the U.S.-led invasion did not conform to the U.N. Charter. "From our point of view and from the Charter point of view, it was illegal," he said. "The faster foreign troops withdraw from Iraq, the better it is than to debate on the illegal war which is of no benefit to anyone," he said, adding that all groups in Iraq should hold talks on restoring peace and order. Syed Hamid on Saturday also urged those behind suicide bombings in Iraq to stop such acts immediately. He said many countries in the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference, which is chaired by Malaysia, were prepared to extend aid to Iraq to rebuild its infrastructure facilities.
