With the threat of a strike on Iraq looming large, the Non Aligned Movement on Monday opposed any unilateral military action after the new chairman and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed accused the United States and western countries of adopting double standards in combating terrorism.

The 116-nation grouping at the same time firmly asked Baghdad to disarm as per the United Nations resolution even as Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee "fervently" wished for a peaceful resolution through multilateral route of the UN.

The two-day summit that opened today pledged to fight international terrorism and continue its support to the Palestinian cause.

The summit was also marked by an Indo-Pak spat over Kashmir with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf raking up the issue in total violation of the NAM charter that bars bilateral issues from being raised.

Meeting for the first time in the new millennium, leaders also focussed on revitalising the 42-year-old movement seeking thrust on greater cooperation among member states in economic and trade areas, besides advocating reform in the United Nations.

In a hard-hitting speech, apparently in the context of Iraq, Mohammed said war must be outlawed. "That will have to be our struggle for now. We must struggle for justice and freedom from oppression, from economic hegemony," he said.

Mohammed called for a new world order in which no single country is allowed to assume the role of a world policeman and decide unilateral action.

Blaming western nations and Israel for global upsurge in terrorism, he said in an apparent reference to the US plans to attack Iraq that "it is no longer a war against terrorism. It is in fact a war to dominate the world."

Vajpayee in his address said, "Objectivity and not rhetoric should govern our actions. Weapons of Mass Destruction need to be eliminated."

The prime minister made it clear that it was essential that Iraq complied fully with the obligations it has accepted, including disarmament and implementing the UN Security Council on the subject.

Speaking of the humanitarian dimension of the sufferings of Iraqi people, he said, "Apart from the immediate consequences of military action, there are long term implications for stability and security in an already volatile region."

Vajpayee suggested a five-pronged strategy to revitalise the movement, which included need for multilateralism, concerted fight against global terrorism, reforms in the UN system, enhanced South-South cooperation and preservation and consolidation of democracy among member states.

Sixty-three Heads of State and government are attending the summit, which is expected to issue a statement on the Iraq situation as also on the international terrorism and the reported revival of North Korea's nuclear programme.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the final document of the summit has been accepted with all clauses, including paragraphs on Non-Proliferation Treaty and terrorism.