Anwar leaves Turkish embassy

Anwar Ibrahim, leader of Malaysia's revitalized opposition, left the Turkish embassy yesterday where he had taken refuge following sodomy accusations, the latest thunderbolt in Malaysia's political tempest.

Anwar left the embassy around 1045 GMT (6:45 pm Beijing time) via the ambassador's residence. "Only after I received assurances of my safety, (did) I leave. I'm leaving on my own volition," he told reporters.

The former deputy premier fled to the embassy early on Sunday fearing for his security after police began investigating a young aide's allegation that Anwar had homosexually assaulted him. Foreign Minister Rais Yatim had summoned the Turkish ambassador yesterday to complain that Turkey had interfered in Malaysia's internal affairs.