Malaysia, US renew military pact

Mainly Muslim Malaysia, currently chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and an opponent of the US-led invasion of Iraq two years ago, has had some problems with Washington over the past decade but military ties have grown closer.

The new agreement enables armed forces from the two countries to share logistics and supplies, a follow-up to close military team-work during relief operations for tsunami-hit Asia, the two sides said.

"The (agreement) enhances strong military-to-military cooperation between our two countries," US Ambassador Christopher LaFleur told reporters at a signing ceremony.

Malaysian and US militaries hold annual joint exercises and they cooperated closely in the unprecedented international military relief operation in Indonesia's Aceh province, which bore the brunt of the tsunami that swept Asia on Dec. 26.

US forces used Malaysian air force bases as hubs for ferrying supplies to Aceh, off Malaysia's west coast.