Sapporo, (Japan): Leaders of the Group of Eight powers today demanded Iran to immediately suspend its uranium enrichment programme and respond positively to international mediation efforts.

G-8 leaders at a summit also asked North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and cooperate in the verification of its dossier of atomic programmes.

In a statement at the end of their summit, the G-8 leaders said Iran should fully comply with UN Security Council resolutions "in particular to suspend all enrichment-related activities."

The leaders backed a six-nation mediation effort to "resolve the issue innovatively through negotiation and urge Iran to respond positively to their offer," the statement said.

On Pyongyang's secretive nuclear programmes, the statement welcomed the Communist nation's recent declaration of its atomic activities, saying it was "long overdue."

"Comprehensive verification of the declaration is of utmost importance," the statement said.

It urged North Korea to "fully cooperate in the verification process, including its effective implementation."

The statement stressed the importance of quick disablement of all existing nuclear facilities and programmes of the reclusive state.

The leaders of the G-8 nations called for "further steps" against Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe s regime but avoided any mention of sanctions.

"We will take further steps, inter alia introducing financial and other measures against those individuals responsible for the violence," they said.

The G-8 is made up of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.

Source : PTI