February 17, 2007	Saturday	Muharram 28, 1428

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16: Lawmakers from member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference on Friday backed Iran's nuclear programme, at a meeting in the Malaysian capital.

“(The OIC) Requests the full respect for equal and inalienable rights for all nations to explore modern technologies including nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” the lawmakers declared at the end of their gathering.

They also urged the UN Security Council to halt Israeli construction work near Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque.

Lawmakers have been meeting in Kuala Lumpur since Thursday to discuss a range of issues affecting Muslims worldwide, with a focus on Middle East flashpoints. Current OIC chair Malaysia is hosting the meet.

Last year, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution imposing sanctions that target Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Western countries backed the sanctions, fearing Iran could use uranium enrichment activities to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran, which says its programme is for peaceful purposes, vowed to expand its enrichment.

Some 170 lawmakers from 36 of the grouping's 57 nations attended the annual meeting to discuss a range of issues confronting the Muslim world.—AFP