Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has appealed for an end to sectarian violence in Iraq, warning the situation could spiral out of control.

"I am extremely and gravely concerned with the latest developments in Iraq because the increasing scale of violence is dangerously escalating into a situation which could become beyond control," he said in a rare statement.

"On behalf of the government and people of Malaysia, I would like to appeal to the people of Iraq, particularly the ethnic and sectarian leaders in Iraq, to do everything possible and constructive to put an end to all violence," he said.

Abdullah also invoked Malaysia's position as the chair of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference to call for an end to the violence after 64 people were killed in a spate of bombings on Tuesday.

In the latest attack Wednesday, at least 23 people were killed and 58 were wounded by a car bomb in Baghdad.

Hold peaceful discussions

Abdullah called on Iraq's leaders to hold peaceful discussions and engage in national reconciliation, and said he believed it was possible for Iraqis of all ethnic groups and Islamic sects to unite.

"I pray that the people of Iraq will not look upon compromises in negotiations only as a last resort but apply that approach as the first preference in their deliberations," Abdullah said.

The prime minister also offered Malaysia's help to resolve the situation, adding that the country was seeking "cordial and cooperative relations" with Iraq.

"Malaysia stands ready to assist in whatever way deemed appropriate by the leaders of Iraq," he said.