KUN0033 4 INT 0159 MALAYSIA /KUNA-NXJ5 POL-MALAYSIA-IRAQ-BADAWI Badawi urges halt to violence in Najaf KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 (KUNA) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has urged for a halt to the ongoing cycle of violence in the Iraqi holy city of Al-Najaf. Malaysia is the current Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). BERNAMA News Agency quoted Badawi as saying in a statement on Monday that he called on the United Nations to intervene to end the fighting. "If the confrontation in Najaf is not defused, it will inflame emotions and may create unpredictable conditions. "It will also erode the fragile stability in the country and affect the preparations for the holding of the national elections in Iraq scheduled in January 2005," said the premier who is currently in South Korea for a three-day visit. "The people of Iraq deserve to have peace and not more suffering," he said. (end) tg.rk KUNA 231359 Aug 04NNNN