PHNOM PENH - Cambodia said this week it has banned people from wearing or selling T-shirts bearing the image of Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden because they "encourage terrorists".

"We will not allow our people to wear clothes with Bin Laden's picture," Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak told Reuters.

"Wearing these t-shirts seems to encourage terrorists. This is contrary to the government's anti-terrorism law."

He said the move to ban the shirts was in line with Phnom Penh's condemnation of the September 11 attacks on the United States.

While few Cambodians are actually wearing the T-shirts, police in Cambodia's border town of Poi Pet - 350 km northwest of Phnom Penh - reported last week that Osama bin Laden shirts had been imported from neighbouring Thailand where they are readily found for sale.

Cambodian police have been instructed to confiscate the T-shirts, but not make arrests, said Khieu Sopheak.

"We have no punishment for offenders. But authorities will explain to the buyers and sellers about these T-shirts," he said.

"If people wear these T-shirts it means they love Osama bin Laden," he said. - Nampa-Reuters