Russia and China on Tuesday demanded a central role for the United Nations in rebuilding post-war Iraq.

Both�called for international efforts to minimise the damage caused to international relations by the US-led invasion of Iraq.�

A joint declaration signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao stated,� "The optimum path to achieve this goal is to strengthen the role of multilateral mechanisms, strengthening of international anti-terror cooperation, coordinated struggle against the new threats and challenges on the basis of international law."

Russia and China, who have a major stake in Iraq's economy also called for preserving the 'legitimate rights and interests' of neighbouring and other interested nations in in that country.

Putin and Hu reaffirmed�their commitment to move towards a multipolar, just and democratic world order.

Both�said a peaceful settlement of the nuclear standoff between US and North Korea must be achieved, and urged Pyongyang to maintain a nuclear-free status.

Hu is to attend the summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Moscow on Wednesday before leaving for St Petersburg to join a galaxy of world leaders, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and US President George W Bush, converging in the Russian president's hometown for the celebrations of 300th anniversary of Russia's imperial capital.