The 114-member Non-Aligned Movement of developing nations will stake its position on the Iranian nuclear crisis at the end of the month, Malaysia's foreign minister was quoted as saying today.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Iran's nuclear program will be "extensively discussed" when NAM foreign ministers gather in Kuala Lumpur from May 27 to prepare for a leaders' summit later this year.

"We hope the crisis Iran is facing will not reach a situation where there will be military conflict because the world does not need another such conflict," he was quoted as saying in the Star daily.

Malaysia is currently chairing the NAM, which includes Iran amongst its members, and Syed Hamid said the grouping did not oppose the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

"We do believe that there is nothing wrong for any country to look at alternative sources of energy, including nuclear power, as long as it is intended for peaceful purposes," he said.

As a screen

The West fears that Iran is using a civilian atomic energy programme as a screen to develop nuclear weapons. The United States is seeking sanctions from the UN Security Council over Iran's uranium enrichment activities.

Syed Hamid said ministers will decide whether to issue a separate statement on Iran, or to include the issue in an expected ministerial declaration.

The Non-Aligned Movement brings together mainly developing nations and was formed during the Cold War as an alternative to the Western and Eastern power blocs.

In recent years the grouping has turned its attention to social issues as it struggles to maintain its relevance in the modern world.