Leaders of the Arab world have stepped up efforts to forge a common front to avert a possible US-led war against Iraq.Egypt has accepted a Turkish invitation to attend a summit on the crisis next week, while Syria has offered to host a meeting of Arab foreign ministers from countries neighbouring Iraq.

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara visited Iran on Saturday to try to gain backing for the proposed conference, while Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak paid an unscheduled visit to Libya for talks on the growing threat of war.

Iraqi officials, meanwhile, travelled to Syria following a tour of north Africa to rally support for Iraq.

Iraq and regional leaders have long opposed a possible US-led offensive against Iraq over allegations that Iraq possesses banned weapons of mass destruction.

'Political solution'

Speaking in the Iranian capital, Tehran, Mr al-Shara said Syria and Iran supported Iraq's desire for a "political solution" to the standoff with the US.

"Iran and Syria are pursuing the same target, to avoid a disastrous war in the region," he said.

Mr al-Shara said Damascus would host a meeting of foreign ministers from Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, ahead of the Turkish-proposed summit scheduled for 23 January.

"Seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis lies within the responsibility of regional countries and not with others," said Mr al-Shara.

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi, said Iran agreed with Syria, but the onus was still on Baghdad to comply with the UN.

"Iran and Syria, as two important regional countries, should take steps to prevent war and encourage Iraq to comply with UN resolutions," he said.

'No exile'

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher dispelled speculation that the Turkish-arranged talks would consider a plan for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to go into exile.

Shortly after Egypt said it would attend the talks, Mr Mubarak flew to Libya for a meeting with Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi.

Libya has not been invited to the Turkish-sponsored talks, which are open to Jordan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The Libyan state news agency, Jana, said the two leaders "discussed the threats against the Iraqi and Palestinian people" and stressed "the necessity of adopting a unified Arab position to spare the Iraqis the ravages of war".

The meeting came hours after Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz held talks in Tripoli with Libyan officials.

French news agency AFP said Mr Aziz conveyed a message to Colonel Gaddafi from Saddam Hussein.

Mr Aziz flew on to Damascus for more talks before his scheduled return to Baghdad.

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"Seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis lies within the responsibility of regional countries and not with others"

Farouk al-Shara
Syrian Foreign Minister