The officials discussed and reached common positions on political, economic and social issues Friday night but the working group responsible for the Iraqi issue decided to continue its task Saturday.

The draft of the statement states that NAM considers with grave concern the "precarious and rapidly deteriorating situation" arising from the looming threat of war in the Gulf region.

The draft called for members to "categorically reject the threats of unilateral use of force to resolve issues affecting international peace and security."

However, certain members were arguing over the statement's language. Chile and Singapore were said to be surprised at the "strong words" used.

With differences reported over the draft's language, officials have been asked for more time to consult their respective governments.

The special working group tasked with deliberating the issue is chaired by Malaysia in the person of ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Rastam Mohd Isa.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid told reporters, "Whether we have a Final Document (on Iraq) or not is something we will have to work out."

"But officials will be going through it thoroughly and will try to see what can be achieved," he added.

Meanwhile, Iraq, which advocates that a strong stand be taken on the matter, called on NAM members to be united in condemning the United States which is bent on pushing for a war.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Nadji Sabri on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Friday implored the movement not to be sidetracked from making a strong stand on the issue.

He said, "Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction and there is no question of Iraq not cooperating with the weapons inspectors. The UN should not issue a second resolution as being pressed by the U.S. and Britain."

He said, "We are optimistic that NAM would see the reality and we hope members will not be swayed by attempts to diminish the collective voice of the world opposing war."

An Iraqi diplomat said that the 10th NAM summit was the last straw to avoid a possible war in Iraq as "nobody can afford to ignore the united voice of the majority."

The United States is not a member of the NAM but it sent a delegation led by Ambassador Charles Twining to the summit at the invitation of the Malaysian government.

Twining said that the United States was prepared to give its views, if requested, on the various issues raised in the on-going NAM summit and it was also keen on hearing the views of NAM members on issues affecting the world.

"We hope the members of NAM will look at important and economic issues that they present with a more balanced view," he added.

With a looming US-led war against Iraq, the NAM summit will be coming up with statement on the issue.

The senior officials meeting had been working tirelessly since Thursday to finalize the draft of the statement on the Iraq issue to be presented at the ministerial-level meeting which opened Saturday and the summit proper on Monday and Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2003)