PUTRAJAYA, Nov 29: At a meeting with Arab heads of mission who called on him here on Wednesday Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged Muslim nations to unite so as to be seen as one.

In this way they could uphold their integrity besides preserving Islam as a religion that commands respect from others, Prime Minister Mahathir told the diplomats.

Details of the 90-minute meeting were given by the acting Foreign Minister, Mr Azmi Khalid, at a Press briefing later at the Prime Minister’s Department here.

“Muslim countries should unite and act in unison and as one under the auspices of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference),” Mr Khalid quoted Dr Mahathir as saying.

He said the prime minister urged Islamic countries to maintain a moderate but clear stand.

The heads of mission were ambassadors of Palestine, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Iraq, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, Oman and Libya.

Mr Khalid, who is the Rural Development Minister, said the Arab ambassadors thanked Dr Mahathir for his views on current global issues notably terrorism.

“They also discussed problems faced by Islamic countries and sought Dr Mahathir’s views on the predicaments for them to convey and share back home,” Mr Khalid said.—APP