The leaders of G8 countries on Wednesday voiced "serious concern" over Iran's nuclear programme, asked North Korea to abandon its atomic weapons and sought the immediate release of Myanmar's political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

"We express serious concern over Iran's failure to comply with its international obligations under successive UN Security Council resolutions, in particular to suspend all enrichment-related activities," the G8 Chair's Summary said.

"We remain committed to a diplomatic solution to the issue through the dual track approach,” it added.

The meeting backed the efforts of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as the high-level dialogue by the Presidency with Iran.

"We call on Iran to respond to the updated incentives package in a constructive manner. We also urge Iran to act in a more responsible and constructive manner in the region, particularly in the context of the Middle East Peace Process and the stability of Iraq and Afghanistan," it said.

On North Korea's nuclear programme, the statement reaffirmed the group's commitment to achieving the verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

"We urge Democratic People's Republic of Korea to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes as well as ballistic missile programmes and return to full compliance with its NPT obligations,” it further added.

The leaders expressed their support for the six-party talks among North Korea, South Korea, the US, China, Japan and Russia to resolve the issue.

The G8 leaders underlined the need of verifying North Korea's recent declaration and sought an early agreement on the principles/regime of verifying the declaration.

The meeting urged North Korea to "fully cooperate in the verification, as well as to swiftly disable all existing nuclear facilities."

Support for Suu Kyi

On the situation in Myanmar, the G8 leaders expressed concern about the current political situation in the country.

"We call on Myanmar to foster a peaceful transition to a legitimate, democratic, civilian government. We encourage the authorities of Myanmar to engage all stakeholders in an inclusive and transparent political process,” it said.

"In this context, we call on Myanmar to immediately release political detainees including Aung San Suu Kyi," the statement said while backing the efforts of the UN Secretary General's good offices mission.

The meeting urged Myanmar to cooperate fully with UN's Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari.

"We are prepared to respond positively to substantive political progress undertaken by Myanmar," the statement said.

The leaders also appealed to the authorities to lift all remaining restrictions on international aid and to improve the transparency of the incoming aid to the cyclone-affected areas in Myanmar.

Backing Afghanistan

On Afghanistan, the G8 leaders renewed their commitment to the war-torn nation and "strongly encouraged" the Afghan government to assume greater responsibility for security, governance and reconstruction.

"We agreed to strengthen our assistance to the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan as an integral part of our strategy to combat terrorism," the statement said.

Mideast peace

On the Middle East situation, the statement expressed the group's full support for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations with a view to reaching an agreement by the end of 2008.

"We call on all parties to refrain from any action that would undermine the negotiations and to implement their Road Map obligations, such as freezing all settlement activities and ending all acts of violence, terrorism and incitement,” it added.

The G8 leaders welcomed the truce in Gaza that came into effect recently and called for its observance.

"We remain committed to continuing to provide assistance to the Palestinians and helping to strengthen the Palestinian institutions. We look forward to a comprehensive peace between Israel and its neighbours," the statement said.

Conflicts in Africa

On the question of Sudan, the G8 leaders expressed their deep concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian and human rights situation in the country.

With regard to Darfur, the leaders urged all parties concerned to abide by their obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions or face further action by the top organ of the world body.

On Zimbabwe, the G8 issued a separate statement, expressing concern over the situation in the African nation.

Regarding the situation in Nigeria, the meeting shared the concern of Lagos about the violence in the Delta region of Nigeria.

"We will support the Nigerian government's efforts to improve the security situation and prospects for development," it said.