Global peace and security will not be attained if the US allows large sections of people to be politically marginalised and dispossessed, former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim told US deputy defence secretary Paul Wolfowitz at a meeting in Munich yesterday.

Anwar said that, if the root problem is not addressed, the acts of terrorism that have escalated since the Sept 11, 2001 attacks in the US will continue.

In a statement to malaysiakini, Anwar said he had informed Wolfowitz, a long-time friend, that it is important for the US government to understand the causes of terrorism in order to curb this.

"I impressed upon him that the US must address the fundamental causes of the pervasiveness of these activities," said Anwar who described the meeting as "frank and fruitful".

"While I agreed with (him) that terrorist activities and insane killing of innocent lives cannot be condoned, I also maintained that it would not serve the cause of attaining a lasting and durable peace and global security while large sections of people and communities continue to be politically marginalised and dispossessed."

Anwar said he had conveyed his position on US foreign policy on Iraq and Palestine and urged that the superpower gives serious consideration to the position of all major parties concerned.

Wolfowitz is widely considered to be one of the most prominent and "hawkish" members in the George W Bush administration. The 57-year old international relations expert is a forceful advocate of military action and has vowed to "end" states sponsoring or harbouring militants.

Anwar also said that he told the deputy secretary the importance of pursuing a multilateral approach.

Prior to his sacking and subsequent arrest in 1998, Anwar was known for his efforts in engaging Western powers in dialogue on issues affecting the Muslim community worldwide.

Several Muslim organisations, leaders and scholars have expressed interest in Anwar continuing this effort. They have invited him to attend related dialogues and conferences.

'Full recovery'

Anwar's aide Azmin Ali told malaysiakini that Anwar also had a breakfast meeting with Indonesia's former president Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, and that the two had discussed problems faced by the Muslims around the world.

Azmin said Anwar would be discharged on Friday from AlphaKlinik, where he has been recuperating after surgery last month to correct a slipped disc.

"A MRI (magnetic resonance images) test was conducted on Monday and Dr (Thomas) Hoogland was extremely happy with the results. The images showed that he has fully recovered and that he is fit to travel," Azmin said when contacted.

He said that Anwar plans to leave Munich for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Friday evening. He will be accompanied by wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and children Nurul Izzah, Muhammad Ihsan and Nurul Hana.

"He (Anwar) and his family plan to perform the umrah (mini-pilgrimage), so he will be in Saudi Arabia for at least two weeks. He will return home in the last week of the month."

Azmin also confirmed that there would be a 'live' video-conferencing with Anwar from Jeddah at 9pm on Sunday, at the PAS headquarters in Taman Melewar, Gombak.