Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Leo Michael Toyad said today that the government will not re-open the Malaysian embassy in Baghdad, Iraq until a "legitimate" government is formed there.

He said this is because the Malaysian government does not recognise the interim government - the Iraqi governing council - whose members were appointed by the United States and Britain.

"We do not recognise the interim government although the council members are Iraqi leaders," he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

"Malaysia will only recognise a new Iraqi government if the government is elected by the people freely in an election process and without external interference."

He also said the interim government has not asked for Malaysia to re-open its embassy.

"We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqis and hope they can hold an election as soon as possible," Toyad said.

'Return democracy'

The deputy minister said the United Nations should make efforts to take over the Iraqi government and "return democracy" to its people.

Asked how Malaysia would deliver assistance without an embassy in Baghdad, he said this would be effected through the Malaysians For Peace coalition, International Red Crescent Society and the Malaysian Medical Relief Society (Mercy).

Earlier in the Dewan Rakyat, the deputy minister said Malaysia's stand was that the US-led military strike against Iraq was against international law and the UN charter, which provides for freedom, sovereignty and independence of a country.

He was responding to a question from Kamaruddin Jaafar (PAS-Tumpat) during the question session.

The US-led war began on March 20 to pave the way for an invasion of Iraq to oust President Saddam Hussein. Coalition forces entered Baghdad about a month later and since then, have maintained troops in the country.