The world's Islamic nations began an emergency meeting in Putrajaya today to rally international opposition to United States' policies on Israel and Iraq.

The meeting of special representatives of the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is expected to press Washington to drop its backing for Israel's latest strategy on the Palestinian territories and for a bigger United Nations role in Iraq.

Fourteen states holding key positions on various committees of the world's largest grouping of Muslim countries are represented at the conference by ministers or senior officials.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters ahead of the meeting that he was "very happy" the organisation had managed to bring so many delegates together on just three days notice, adding that there had been no attempt to call all 57 member states.

Malaysia, current chairperson of the organisation, called the meeting at the request of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat after US President George W Bush last week endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to keep some Arab land captured in the1967 war.

Support roadmap

The OIC would call for Israel to stick to the international roadmap for peace and for the early establishment of a Palestinian state, Syed Hamid said yesterday.

"We want the international community to play a stronger and more meaningful role, to support the roadmap and to change the US attitude which openly supports Israel.

"For as long as they get the backing of their superpower ally, then Israel will continue to reign in the Middle East ... it's as if they are the special people of the world and are untouchable."

Bush's support for Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip but keep some Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and his indication that Palestinian refugees cannot expect to return to their former homes in Israel, triggered anger in the Arab world.

Plans were already afoot to hold an OIC conference next month on the deteriorating situation in Iraq, but it was brought forward and the Israeli issue now appears to top the agenda.

Members represented at the meeting include Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organisation, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Senegal, Guinea and Sudan. OIC secretary-general Abdelwahed Belkeziz is also present.

Syed Hamid said separate statements would be issued on Iraq and Israel at the end of the one-day meeting. - AFP