KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Reuters) - Malaysia's state fund 1MDB said that it had been served on Friday with a request for arbitration by Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) and Aabar Investments PJS, in relation to its ongoing dispute with IPIC.

1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) appointed Weil Gotshal & Manges to represent it in the dispute and will file a response to the request before the deadline of 11 July, it said in a statement.

IPIC has asked a London court to arbitrate in the dispute with 1MDB, in which it is claiming about $6.5 billion.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon; editing by) ((praveen.menon@thomsonreuters.com; +60323338047; Reuters Messaging: praveen.menon.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))