Mahathir refuses treatment abroad for Anwar

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed has had an unprecedented meeting with opposition leaders to discuss the health of his jailed former deputy, Anwar Ibrahim.

After the meeting, the three opposition politicians said the Prime Minister had reiterated the government's refusal to allow Mr Anwar to seek medical treatment abroad for a back problem.

They said his decision was final.

Anwar Ibrahim says his back condition, a slipped disc, was partly caused by a police beating in custody, but the government says it happened during a game of sport he was playing in prison.

Mr Anwar was dismissed from the cabinet in 1998 and jailed shortly afterwards when a court found him guilty of sodomy and corruption.

He claims the charges were fabricated by Dr Mahathir and his supporters who feared a political challenge.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service