Kuala Lumpur, Aug 23, SPA -- The chairman of the world's largest grouping of Muslim countries appealed for peaceful negotiations Monday to stop the fighting in Iraq's holycity of Najaf, stressing that further bloodshed wouldjeopardize the country's return to stability. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, speakingin his capacity as head of the 57-member Organization ofthe Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement of 116mostly developing countries, suggested the United Nationscould have a role in helping to end the violence. "If the confrontation in Najaf is not defused, it willinflame emotions and may create unpredictable conditions,"Abdullah said in a statement carried by the national newsagency, Bernama. "It will also erode the fragile stabilityin the country and affect the preparations for the holdingof the national elections.""--SPA1220 Local Time 0920 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/194262