HIGHLIGHTS: Mahathir Was Addressing an International Forum of Islamic Scholars in Kuala Lumpur||Iraq to Protest to UN over U.S. Visas Denial||Senate Republican Urges Debate over Bush's Iraq Plans|| STORY: Malaysia - Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned Friday that a U.S. military campaign to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein would infuriate Muslims and stir "great hatred" for Washington. (Read photo caption)

"We don't think other governments have a right, no matter how powerful they are, to change the government of another country," Mahathir told an international forum of Islamic scholars in Kuala Lumpur.

U.S. President George W. Bush signed an order earlier this year directing the Central Intelligence Agency to increase support to Iraqi opposition groups and allowing use of CIA and Special Forces teams against Saddam. If covert attempts fail, Bush is widely expected to try military action.

IRAQ TO PROTEST TO UN OVER U.S. VISAS DENIAL

Iraq has protested to the United Nations over the U.S. denial of entry visas that would allow an Iraqi delegation to attend a meeting in New York of the preparatory panel for the International Criminal Court.

A statement by Iraq's Foreign Ministry faxed to Reuters on Thursday said Foreign Minister Naji Sabri had made the protest in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Sabri urged Annan to intervene.

SENATE REPUBLICAN URGES DEBATE ON BUSH'S IRAQ PLANS

Urging an open debate on whether the United States should use force to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Republican Sen. Arlen Specter on Thursday introduced a resolution to put Congress on record on the issue.

There is a need for the American people to understand the issues involved in the use of military force against Iraq," said Specter, of Pennsylvania.

Specter joins a growing number of lawmakers -- both Republicans and Democrats -- who want Congress to have a voice in whether the United States takes military action against Iraq.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, right, talks to unidentified Iraqi officials Wednesday night, July 17, 2002, after they had arrived to commemorate with their leader the 34th anniversary of the 17-30 July 1968 Revolution. (AP Photo/INA).