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.