CAPE TOWN, Oct 24 (AFP) - South African President Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday said it has been found that anti-retroviral drugs are as dangerous as AIDS.

"There are new guidelines that anti-retrovirals are becoming as dangerous to health as the disease they are suppose to treat," Mbeki told the National Assembly.

He said he was referring to new guidelines for the use of anti-retrovirals released earlier this year by the United States' Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

Mbeki said the guidelines "radically revise the use of these drugs ... of what should happen before you dispense these drugs."

He said he had found the information that he was referring on the CDC's website on the Internet and suggested that doctors who prescribe the drugs in South Africa take it into consideration.

Mbeki has for two years stirred controversy with his views on AIDS and anti-retrovirals.

He has questioned the link between HIV and AIDS and has refused to provide anti-retrovirals on public health because he believes the drugs are too toxic.

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