KUALA LUMPUR: Muslim countries should form their own peacekeeping force to send to the Gaza strip, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi said.

The Muslim peacekeeping force should come under the auspices of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), he added.

"I will bring up the proposal to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

"It's time for OIC member countries to set up our own peacekeeping forces to handle disputes such as civil wars or even invasions by major powers in Islamic countries.

"Such issues can be resolved much more quickly with this form of intervention when it involves Muslim countries.

"If the United Nations or Nato can have their own peacekeepers, then the OIC should have its own peacekeeping troops.

"I hope that this measure will be decided and approved in the next OIC heads of government meeting," he told reporters after attending a gathering for Indonesian supporters of Parti Amanat Nasional candidate Ade Daud Iswandi Nasution here on Sunday.

Zahid was commenting on reports of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza to quell militant rocket and mortar fire on southern Israel.

About 800 Palestinians have been killed in the violence so far.

Asked whether Malaysia will take the lead in heading the peacekeeping mission in Palestinian territory, Zahid said there would be dissenters among OIC countries on such a proposal.

"It will be better if all OIC members act in unison to ensure the success of this type of mission.

"We all know that the United Nations' resolutions or stern warnings from the global community when Israel launches its attacks have proven to be ineffective in settling the issue," he added.

Zahid also concured with the proposal by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Muslim countries boycott US-made goods in protest against the attacks on Palestinians.

"Muslims should also boycott goods produced by companies with ties to Israel," he added.

Malaysia had sent its soldiers to Lebanon as part of an international pecekeeping force under UN auspices despite protests by Israel. -The Star / Asia News Network