In an interview with the Malay-language daily, Mingguan Malaysia, Mahathir also said the countries should withdraw their huge financial reserves deposited in the United States so as to bankrupt the country.

"Arab countries have oil and it can be used as a weapon. Besides that they keep a large amount of money in the United States. If we take out the money, the U.S. can go bankrupt," he was quoted as saying.

Mahathir also criticised suicide bombings as means of struggle, saying they did not produce any results.

"What do we get from it? Does it have any impact? They (the U.S.) will get angry. In the end, Muslims are killed when they invade Afghanistan and Iraq," he said.

"If they (suicide bombers) kill soldiers, it is alright, but the problem is those who are killed are the public," he said.