English Transcript

Cập nhật 01/07/2008 17:10:00

Malaysia's foremost opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has left the Turkish embassy in Kuala Lumpur, where he had been taking refuge following sodomy accusations against him.

Dr Anwar left the embassy via the ambassador's residence.

Earlier, the former deputy premier told Reuters in a telephone interview that he had not sought political asylum, but went to the embassy on "humanitarian grounds".

Dr Anwar says the allegation that he committed sodomy with a aide was probably a ploy to distract public attention from rising food and fuel prices and other scandals afflicting Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's government.

The Malaysian opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, has filed a libel lawsuit against a former member of his staff who's accused him of sexual assault.

He says the allegation has been fabricated by the government to prevent him making a political comeback.

The Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi has denied the claim.