KUALA LUMPUR (NNN-Bernama) -- Interference by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in the conflict in Libya is motivated by the vested interest of the organisation's member countries, said former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohammad."If it's really the intention of the people of Libya (to topple the government), then it's another matter.
"Definitely there are Libyans who disagree with the government and have asked NATO or the United States for help but their assistance is actually to topple the Libyan government.
"The assistance given is motivated by their vested interest and not the interest of the people of Libya," said Dr Mahathir when asked to comment on the turbulence in Libya.
The former premier was attending a press conference on sponsorship of the Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Bukit Kiara, here, Wednesday.
He said NATO instigating the rebels against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi would have an implication over other Arab countries.
"This is dangerous for other countries. If their leaders are not liked by NATO, they may be facing the same fate.
"Now we are seeing a number of countries facing unrest...Yemen, Bahrain, Syria...If there's no interference by NATO, I believe the rebels will not be successful," said Dr Mahathir, who is also president of the Perdana Global Peace Foundation.
According to Dr Mahathir, NATO's interference in Libya was motivated by its interest in the country's oil wealth.
"Basically, it's about getting the oil. They (western powers) will only interfere in oil-rich countries.
"During the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina, although thousands of Bosnians were massacred by the Serbs, they were slow to react. And when they intervened, they ensured that the Serbs would benefit," he said. -- NNN-BERNAMA
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