Leaders from the G8 nations would issue a declaration stating that "weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism are the most pressing issues facing the world today," said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair's delegation.

The declaration, much of which has already been drawn up, will be finalised and approved by G8 leaders gathered for a thre-day summit in the French Alpine resort of Evian, he said.

Among key resolutions will be an "action plan" to crack down on the spread of low-level radioactive materials, such as x-ray machines, which if collected in sufficient quantities could be used to make a so-called "dirty bomb".

The resolution would also pledge additional help for Russia to get rid of its stocks of nuclear and chemical weapons, as well as preventing the spread of knowledge in these areas, the official said.

Among specific measures would be assistance for Russia to destroy two of its nuclear submarines over the next two years, as well as a programme to help former Soviet-era weapons scientists find alternative work.

Efforts to combat the spread of mass destruction weapons will also be on the agenda during a meeting here Monday between US President George W. Bush and French counterpart Jacques Chirac, according to Chirac spokeswoman Catherine Colonna.

The United States has urged that the measures adopted here allow for searches of suspect cargo on planes and ships and the confiscation of materials that could be used in the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.

"It's an issue that merits attention and an in-depth review," Colonna said, noting however that questions needed to be asked about the legal basis on which such a plan could be implemented.

On anti-terrorism, according to British officials, the G8 declaration was set to propose new airport security measures such as "biometric checks", which verify identities through the scanning of physical characteristics such as irises.

Additionally it would cover beefed up security for shipping containers and a crackdown on the illegal trafficking of small arms and light weapons, the official said.

The issue of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism was set to be the primary focus of the G8 summit, Blair told reporters as he flew in from Saint Petersburg, where he had joined other leaders marking the city's 300th anniversary.

He said he would be appealing for the United States and Europe to bury any differences over the Iraq war and move forward.

"People aren't going to change their positions. Some people were in favour of the war, some people were against the war," he said.

"The question is: are people prepared to work together in the future?"

WAR.WIRE