newsflash The Umno Youth today resolved that it would not condone any rash action taken by the US government in retaliation to the terrorist attacks which collapsed the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon last week.

"Might doesn't make it right. We hope that justice will prevail and the pursuit of justice will not turn into a blind rage of violence," said the Youth wing chief Hishamuddin Hussein.

"Enough lives have been lost already," he added.

Hishamuddin said Umno youth's stand on the issue will be conveyed in a letter to the US embassy later today.

Despite this, the Youth leader condemned the attacks in the US and said that terrorism in whatever guise is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, he also urged the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to make a stand on the injustices perpetrated on Iraqis and Palestinians by the US in the past.

Following the attacks in which more than 5,000 are feared dead, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar pledged Malaysia's support for the US in combating terrorism but called for proper and cautious measures.

'New war'

The US is pointing the finger at alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden, who is said to be hiding in Afghanistan, for masterminding the attacks.

President George W Bush has warned of military retaliation if Afghanistan's Taliban government refuses to extradite Osama.

The Taliban have so far remained defiant and is reported to be preparing for a 'holy war' against the US.

Latest reports claim that war planes were being deployed to the Persian Gulf region as part of the initial buildup of forces in America's 'new war' against terrorism

[Full report to follow]