(AFP) The Defence ministry will release a document on the role of its troops during a battle in Somalia in 1993 after complaining that their sacrifices were ignored in the Hollywood movie "Black Hawk Down".

Defence minister Najib Razak said the document would clarify any doubts over the role of Malaysian troops who rescued American soldiers during the battle.

"With the available facts, all misconceptions about the incident, be it in the book or in the film will not arise," he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

The movie, directed by Ridley Scott and based on a book of the same title written by Mark Bowden, was released for worldwide screening on Jan 18.

But it incurred the wrath of Malaysia, who said the movie failed to reflect the actual incident.

"We are disappointed with the contents of the movie. It is obvious the book ignored what actually happened. The US rangers were trapped and they were rescued by Malaysian troops," Najib said.

Sole Malaysian fatality

Eighteen US soldiers died in the battle and 70 were wounded. One Malaysian was killed and nine were wounded.

"We were there in the thick of the battle," complained retired Brigadier-General Abdul Latif Ahmad, who commanded Malaysian forces serving with the United Nations in Somalia at that time.

The former commander said that, contrary to the impression given by the film, American lives were saved by a rescue force of 113 Malaysian troops deployed in 32 Condor armoured personnel carriers after two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu.

Military ties between Malaysia and US are close and forces of the two countries often hold joint exercises.