New Delhi: With the US military build up against Iraq apparently in his mind, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on January 25 invoked Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace, compassion and co-existence.

There was need for rejection of "hegemony and unilateralism", Khatami said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

"Gandhiji was the manifestation of peace at the time when there was tyranny... even against these enemies, he used non-violence and peace to force them out of the country," he said.

The message of Gandhi is freedom, independence, peace, compassion and co-existence, he said adding Iran also started a new stage of development through the Islamic revolution, which did not rely on weapons.

"We are doing our best to preserve our new image of Democracy," he said and stressed "We wish to see peace and security all around the world."

PTI