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Confounding rumours about what Facebook would announce, founder Mark Zuckerberg said the system was "not e-mail".

Instead, he said, it was modelled on instant messaging systems and will route messages to people no matter how they are using Facebook.

"This is not an e-mail killer," said Mr Zuckerberg. "It is a messaging system that includes e-mail as part of it."

Mr Zuckerberg said it would bring together four separate messaging types - SMS, Instant Messaging, e-mail and Facebook chat.

While those using it can attach their Facebook name to an @facebook.com e-mail address this was not compulsory, said Mr Zuckerberg.

"This is not an e-mail killer," said Mr Zuckerberg. "It is a messaging system that includes e-mail as part of it."

Mr Zuckerberg said it would bring together four separate messaging types - SMS, Instant Messaging, e-mail and Facebook chat.

While those using it can attach their Facebook name to an @facebook.com e-mail address this was not compulsory, said Mr Zuckerberg.

To meet that need, he said, Facebook did not want to simply create an e-mail system because research revealed that e-mail felt too formal and slow for many people, particularly the young.

Instead of forcing people to use separate systems, Facebook messaging will work out the most appropriate way to get a message to a person. It had a sophisticated "policy engine" that knew how Facebook friends preferred to be contacted.