Mahathir accuses U.S. of meddling

Mahathir accuses U.S. of meddling

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad accused the United States on Friday of supporting a move to topple his government while blaming ousted deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim for "rioting" in Malaysia.

"He caused the rioting and he seemed to be aided by foreigners such as Americans who have interfered in our domestic affairs," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

"The United States does not like me to be the prime minister of Malaysia and when the service of the deputy prime minister was ended, it got angry, came and supported the move to topple the government," he reportedly said.

Mahathir, who was speaking during a meeting with about 1,500 rural settlers, appeared to be referring to U.S. Vice President Al Gore. During a speech here last month, Gore praised "brave Malaysians" calling for political reforms.