Yesterday in Malaysia, leaders of more than 50 Islamic nations listened without protest as Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for “the elimination of the Zionist regime.”

Today Malaysia announced that they’re ready to send a thousand “peacekeepers” to Lebanon: Malaysia readies 1,000 soldiers for Lebanon.

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia’s defence chief said his country would send 1,000 soldiers to Lebanon as soon as a ceasefire was declared.

Defence Forces Chief Admiral Mohamad Anwar Mohamad Nor said the troops were waiting for a greenlight from the government, which has already said Malaysia was willing to commit soldiers to a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

“We will send our troops according to the country’s requirements. Currently, we are finalising preparations for the departure,” Mohamad Anwar was quoted as saying by the state Bernama news agency. “We will send armoured vehicles and troops in highly bullet-proof attire to face any consequences,” he said.

Malaysia can draw on a vast store of knowledge from their history of outstanding successes, as part of the United Nations blue helmet peacekeeping brigade.

“It is vital for us to plan our strategies well,” Mohamad Anwar said. “The potential dangers will not deter us from doing our job. I am sure our experiences in peacekeeping missions will help us deliver the best,” he said.

Malaysia in May sent a contingent to East Timor to help restore order to the country and has also taken part in a number of UN-backed intervention forces.

“We are likely to face the toughest challenge compared to our experiences in previous peacekeeping missions in Bosnia-Hezegovina, Somalia and recently in Timor Leste,” said Mohamad Anwar.