Embassy in Baghdad would not resume operations until a real government led by the people of Iraq is formed, said the minister.

By Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia Correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (IslamOnline.net) – Malaysia will not rush to recognize any government formed the U.S.-led forces in Iraq, even if led by Iraqis, and its embassy in Baghdad would not resume operations until a real government is formed, news agencies reported on Tuesday, May 06.

Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the country will need to assess the current situation in Iraq and study procedures required in the matter, reported Bernama.

Malaysia has not officially commented on the end of the war in Iraq and the proclamation of the U.S. victory by President George W. Bush last week.

It has also allowed the Iraqi Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to keep functioning with its old staff.

"All these will take time to assess. At the moment, there is no real but only an interim government in Iraq . In an interim government, the people of Iraq cannot decide their own future. So I think it is not the right time yet for us to make a decision on the matter," the minister said.

Malaysia had slammed the U.S.-led war on Iraq as illegal and a start violation of the U.N. charter.

The South East Asian Muslim country is, however, resigned to accept there is a change of regime in Iraq and will support that regime eventually.

Syed Hamid said the Malaysian embassy in Baghdad also would not resume its operations until a real government led by the people of Iraq had been formed.

The Malaysian embassy shifted its operations to Amman , Jordan , a few days before the March 20 invasion of Iraq by the U.S-led forces.

Syed Hamid said that pending the setting up of a real government in Iraq , the Malaysian interests in Iraq would be looked after by several organizations there.

"Until the real government is established in Iraq , we'll have some associations such as Mercy Malaysia , Peace Malaysia and Abim in Iraq in order to ensure that our interests will be protected," he said.

However, he said, if there was a government in Iraq , Malaysia would still have to deal with it regardless of whether it was an interim government or otherwise.

"In that case, we will have to decide what form of representation we are going to have. We just cannot cut off entirely. That is why we are assessing now," he said.

Despite the American presence in Iraq , Malaysian companies and the Malaysian government hope to make breakthrough in the country and to assist in any way possible in the rebuilding of the war-torn nation.

Malaysia also does not expect any American favors over Iraq since the U.S. seems to have chastised war opponents and is offering contracts and other rebuilding work to pro-war parties.

The Malaysian foreign affairs minister, however, said his country was willing to assist the Iraqis with humanitarian aid, though the principle of reconstructing Iraq rests on the shoulders of those who destroyed the Arab nation.

Malaysia was also ready to ship its soldiers to carry out peacekeeping duties in Baghdad in case the U.N. had a greater role in the reconstruction of Iraq .

Iraq remains a thorny issue in the relationships between Malaysia and the U.S. , two formidable partners in the war on terrorism.

In the wake of the Iraq war, Malaysia said it was disappointed in the leadership of the U.S. on global issues.