Malaysia has handed over a Thai man accused of treason and murder over his alleged involvement in the Islamic insurgency that has left more than 1,000 people dead in southern Thailand, the Foreign Ministry said today.

Hamzah Bin Mat Saud, also known as Osama, was handed over to Thai authorities late yesterday in the southern province of Songkhla, the ministry said in a statement.

A court in neighboring Narathiwat province issued a warrant for his arrest in March last year on charges of high treason, murder and robbery in connection with the January 2004 raid on a military arms depot that sparked the nearly two years of unrest.

Close consultation

Hamzah was among the 131 Thai Muslims who fled across the border to Malaysia on August 30, citing insecurity and fear of persecution by the Thai government.

"It's very positive sign of bilateral relations between Thailand and Malaysia, and the result of close consultation," Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon told a news conferenece late yesterday.

"The Thai government appreciates the close cooperation extended by the Malay government on this issue," he said.