Saturday, September 16 2006 12:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Havana: The NAM summit began here yesterday (Sept 15,2006) on expected lines with a blistering attack by hosts Cuba against the US and the west and calling for immediate reforms of the UN to prevent "invasion" of countries on 'some pretexts' and a new international world order that would not not subserve the interests of the rich countries.

The two-day 14th NAM summit of the 116-member grouping, missed the charismatic presence of the Cuban leader 80-year-old Fidel Castro, who is still recovering in hospital from a major intestinal surgery, but was still elected Chairman of the conference. His younger brother and First Vice President of Cuba Raul Castro took over proceedings of the conference.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, South African President Thabo Mbeki and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad were among the host of leaders from all continents attending the conference which is expected to take up major global and regional issues like the Iranian nuclear standoff, war in Lebanon and discriminatory nuclear regime.

The meeting is also expected to take up the expansion of the UN Security Council to give representation to the developing countries and the need for equitable transfer of resources from the North to the South.

Cuba, one of the few surviving Communist-ruled nations, took over the leadership of NAM. Raul told the meeting that his brother Fidel Castro wanted to be there but has been developments, nonetheless, to ensure it reaches levels of excellence and its resounding success.