The leaders of the world's eight most powerful nations have sharply criticized North Korea and Iran. They condemned North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean warship in March and called on the Iranian leadership to respect human rights and the rule of law. Andrew Walker reports.

In a strongly worded section in the summit communique, the G8 said they deplored the sinking of the South Korean vessel with the loss of 46 lives. They called on North Korea to refrain from committing any attacks or threatening hostilities against its neighbour. The G8 also expressed concern that nuclear and missile tests by the North have increased tension, and called on the country to abandon all nuclear weapons.