US President George W Bush urged Arab leaders today to oppose what he called Iran's 'nuclear weapons ambitions'.

'Every peaceful nation in the region has an interest in opposing Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions,' Bush will tell the World Economic Forum here, according to an advance text of his speech. Iran says its nuclear programme is strictly for civilian purposes.

'To allow the world's leading sponsor of terror to gain the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations,' Bush will add. 'For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.' 

He also called on all nations in the Middle East to 'confront Hamas' and to  stop Iran and Syria from 'supporting terrorism.'

'We must stand with the good and decent people of Iran and Syria, who deserve so much better than the life they have today. Every peaceful nation in the region has an interest in stopping these nations from supporting terrorism,' Bush said.

'All nations in the region must stand together in confronting Hamas, which is attempting to undermine efforts at peace with continued acts of terror and violence,' Bush added.

Bush also sought to reassure sceptical Arabs that he is committed to securing a deal on Palestinian statehood before he leaves office, despite his outspoken support for Israel.

'We must stand with the Palestinian people, who have suffered for decades and earned the right to a homeland of their own,' Bush said.

Adjusting his approach from the one taken during his visit to Israel last week to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Bush challenged the Palestinians to 'fight terror' and called on Israel to make 'tough sacrifices for peace and ease restrictions on Palestinians.'  -Agencies