The U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur wanted jailed Filipino-Muslim leader Nur Misuari to file for a visitor's visa to the U.S., said lawyer Elly Pamatong in a phone interview.

"I have received that request through my e-mail address in the U.S.," said Pamatong. He had filed before the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) a request that Misuari be given a safe passage from Malaysia and political asylum in the U.S or in any friendly state.

Misuari has agreed to the plan because Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammed Mahathir seems to be "the only one with a humanitarian concern for Misuari," said Pamatong.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has agreed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who insisted that Misuari should be brought back to Manila to face rebellion charges, instead of being brought to a third country.

Pamatong said he would also file a habeas corpus (for Misuari to be shown in person) at a court in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Misuari's wife Tarhata Ibrahim, said her husband wanted Malaysia to give him political asylum.

She also said she would "wage a strong reaction" in Mindanao, southern Philippines if Misuari is brought back to Manila.

"She grew up in the fields and came from common folks, that's why she could say something like that," Pamatong said.

"We don't want Misuari in Manila where he might be executed or tortured. His presence there might fan a strong anti-government Muslim sentiment," Pamatong added. "Misuari believes in his heart that no Muslim will turn away a Muslim brother."

He added that Ibrahim has expressed the same sentiment that Malaysia might not deport Misuari to Manila.

Ibrahim's meeting with Misuari was held at the police headquarters in Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur on December 27. She came with her three children from Jeddah, Pamatong said.

Misuari's six companions, also members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), remained in their prison cell in Jampiras, Sabah, where they were incarcerated for illegal entry on November 24.