Ankara: Describing international terrorism as a "global monster", Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on September 16 flayed the "selective approach" and differing standards of some countries in combating the menace.

He also dismissed the Western belief that Islam was a source of terrorism.

"We cannot afford selective approaches which sacrifice the long-term interests. Differing standards cannot be applied for judging terrorism," he said in a wide-ranging interview with Turkish daily "News".

Vajpayee expressed concern over the situation in Iraq, regrouping of Taleban in Afghanistan and dismissed suggestions that India had abandoned the Palestinians for Israel.

He said international terrorism "is today a global monster which knows no national boundaries or territorial limits of operations."

"It exploits the openness and freedom of democratic societies. It uses modern technologies and unorthodox techniques to achieve its destructive objectives," the Prime Minister said.

The menace of terrorism could be countered only by global, united and comprehensive effort, he added.

About tendency in the West to subscribe to the view that Islam was a source of terrorism, Vajpayee said, "We totally dismiss the proposition that any religion is a source of terrorism. Such arguments seek to discredit one of the great religions of the world."

"No religion prescribes violence against innocent people. Our battle is against extremist elements who misuse and misinterpret religion to justify terrorism and incite violence," he said.

Asked if he shared the view that Iraq has turned into a new battle-ground for international terrorism, Vajpayee said, "Terrorism constantly seeks new targets. It rapidly moves into situations of exploitations, of uncertainty or unrest."

"The situation in Iraq is very complex and therefore disturbing. It is essential that political solutions involving the Iraqi people are found quickly so that any possibility of a slide into anarchy is averted," he said.

He said India believed that there was an urgent need for the UN to assume a central role, both in the humanitarian efforts and economic rebuilding of the country and in promoting and monitoring the political process leading to a representative Iraqi government.

"We hope that the ongoing discussions in the UN on all these aspects would reach an early and satisfactory conclusion," the Prime Minister said.

About the possibility of sending Indian troops to Iraq, he said it would depend "on all the factors I have mentioned as well as some domestic considerations."

PTI