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Malaysia to withdraw troops stationed in Saudi Arabia
Malaysia's Defence Minister Mohammed Sabu says new government's decision reflects country's neutrality in the region.
Malaysia's defence minister has said that his country's new government will withdraw its troops from Saudi Arabia.
In a statement made to local media, Mohammed Sabu said on Wednesday that maintaining a military presence in the kingdom risked dragging Malaysia into a regional conflict.
Sabu noted Malaysian troops were not partaking in operations under way in Yemen, referring to a Saudi-led intervention in the neighbouring country.
"Malaysia has always maintained its neutrality. It has never pursued an aggressive foreign policy," Sabu told the government-owned Malaysian National News Agency.
The decision was made last week, Sabu said, adding that talks with the foreign ministry to determine the timing of the troops' return would soon begin.
Malaysia's Defence Minister Mohammed Sabu says new government's decision reflects country's neutrality in the region.
Malaysia's defence minister has said that his country's new government will withdraw its troops from Saudi Arabia.
In a statement made to local media, Mohammed Sabu said on Wednesday that maintaining a military presence in the kingdom risked dragging Malaysia into a regional conflict.
Sabu noted Malaysian troops were not partaking in operations under way in Yemen, referring to a Saudi-led intervention in the neighbouring country.
"Malaysia has always maintained its neutrality. It has never pursued an aggressive foreign policy," Sabu told the government-owned Malaysian National News Agency.
The decision was made last week, Sabu said, adding that talks with the foreign ministry to determine the timing of the troops' return would soon begin.