He was speaking after the Malaysian authorities sentenced two men to jail terms for gross indecency.

According to the official Malaysian news agency, Bernama, both had pleaded guilty to "committing acts of gross indecency by allowing themselves to be sodomised" by Anwar. Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia.

PM Dr Mahathir: Calls for resignation 'illegal'

Mr Anwar denied there was any truth in the men's statements, saying they had been speaking under duress.

Mr Anwar said Dr Mahathir should resign, otherwise he would be forced out like the former Indonesian leader, President Suharto.

Opposition politician Lim Kit Siang of the Democratic Action Committee: A stirring for change

The BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur says Mr Anwar is placing the Malaysian authorities in a dilemma: if they arrest him, they will deflect attention from the Commonwealth Games, but allowing him to stage rallies amounts to letting him flout the law because such protests are illegal.

One of the men sentenced is Mr Anwar's adopted brother; the other is said be a friend and adviser, who was detained under Malaysia's Internal Security Act five days ago.

Queen's visit

Harry Peart: "The temperature is rising"

Mr Anwar, a former close associate of the prime minister, was dismissed from his post earlier this month after differences of economic policy.

He says the authorities are preparing to bring at least 21 charges against him.

Anwar's supporters read about the latest developments

But he says that the authorities will not arrest him until after the Queen's visit to Malaysia ends next Wednesday.

Mr Anwar has called a rally in central Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to coincide with the Queen's attendance at a service at nearby St Mary's Cathedral.

Although no charges have yet been brought against him, Mr Anwar is under investigation for a range of crimes - including bribery, treason, corruption and sexual misconduct.

He says the allegations against him are part of a political conspiracy.

PM's successor

The Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamed, has only said that Mr Anwar was "morally unfit" to lead the country.

Kuala Lumpur: Anwar called rally on Sunday

Before his sacking Mr Anwar was widely regarded as Dr Mahathir's potential successor.

Recently Mr Anwar has been conducting a nationwide tour of the country, protesting his innocence and calling for government reform.

At one rally on Friday night in the northern town of Kota Bahru, reports say as many as 50,000 people attended.