EAST Lancashire MP Nigel Evans has told international politicians at the United Nations headquarters that easing Third World debts was vital to promote peace.

The Ribble Valley Tory was at an Inter-Parliamentary Union function in New York.

He told the world dignitaries that everyone's thoughts were with the latest hostage in Iraq, Margaret Hassan, and her family.

The Irish-born aid worker was last week taken captive by Islamic extremists in the war-torn country.

Mr Evans told the gathering at the margin of the UN General Assembly: "Not all countries were united on the need for the Iraq war but we can all be agreed on the need for peace in Iraq.

"People like Margaret Hassan are very much a part of that peace, as well as many other people who work for charities and non-governmental organisations in troubled areas.

"It is also important for us to ensure that when wars and conflicts cease we don't just walk away when we believe that our work is finished.

"It is important we keep our focus on helping these countries to build their democratic institutions and ensure confidence building measures continue."