Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) nations gathering here next week are expected to condemn alleged abuses of Iraqi prisoners by US and British troops, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said today.

Malaysia, current chairman of the 114-member grouping of mostly poor countries, has called a special meeting on May 13 to discuss the worsening Middle East crisis and Iraq.

Syed Hamid said the meeting would discuss the alleged ill-treatment of Iraqi prisoners, already criticised by Malaysia as "very obnoxious behaviour with no respect for humanity".

"It is against international law and the rules of engagement, the rules of treating prisoners are very clearly laid out, so they must be respected. Definitely this thing will be touched upon," he told reporters.

"There is a lot of anger" among Islamic countries Syed Hamid said, urging Washington and London to ensure that any investigations undertaken would not seek to justify the abuse.

"It is important that they do not sweep these things under the carpet. The whole issue must be investigated thoroughly. There is no justification for these types of acts and activities," he told reporters.

Recently-released photographs showing the abuse of Iraqi detainees by US and British troops shocked the world, while analysts warned the scandal could damage US credibility.

Television footage broadcast last week showed inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, some naked, in humiliating, sexually suggestive poses. Some images also showed US military personnel pointing and laughing at prisoners.

Malaysia also chairs the worlds' biggest grouping of Muslim states, the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference. It hosted an emergency OIC meeting on the Mideast crisis and Iraq last month. - AFP