The wife of detained Philippines Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari has arrived in Malaysia along with their three children for a possible reunion as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest separatist rebel group in the southern Philippines, yesterday welcomed Malaysia's decision to allow the family to visit Misuari in Sabah.

"The wife, Tarhata (26) and children want to hold and embrace their father. This is a human need especially during this festive period of Christmas and New Year," said Elly Pamatong, a U.S.-based lawyer who said he represents Misuari.

He had fled Jolo island where his forces four days earlier had tried to overrun a major Army base in a failed uprising that left scores of his supporters and civilians dead.

"This is a welcome move by the Malaysian government. At least they allowed Misuari's family to visit him in Kota Kinabalu in Sabah," said the MILF regional chairman Ustadz Shariff Julabbi.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hamid was quoted yesterday by the New Straits Times as saying the government would consider allowing Misuari's family to visit him. He said the visit would be arranged carefully and according to security restrictions which should not attract "media discussion".

Julabbi said the MILF has suggested to Malaysia last week to hand over Misuari, ousted chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), to either Saudi Arabia or Libya to avoid "political persecution" by the Philippine government.

"Misuari needs political asylum because he is being unjustly persecuted for political purposes by the Philippine government," said Julabbi.

But the New Straits Times quoted Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as saying, "We cannot entertain asylum."

He said he was expecting the Philippine government to take custody of Misuari very soon because "we cannot keep him in detention forever".

Syed Hamid, a member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Committee of Eight, said it was Kuala Lumpur's responsibility and commitment to hand over Misuari to the Philippines.

He and Dr Hasan Wiraduyo, the Indonesian Foreign Minister, flew to Manila last week and met top Philippine officials to discuss Misuari's fate.

Misuari's lawyer Ely Pamatong has asked the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to intervene and prevent the former rebel leader to be deported to the Philippines.

He said: "We do not classify him as a refugee or an asylum seeker and I do not feel there is a need for UNHCR's presence in the current situation because the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo committed that Misuari would be handled with respect and dignity (when he returns home)."