UNSC to take up Iran Nuclear issue next week

New York, Mar 11: Stressing the need for a negotiated solution to concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said the Security Council could take up the matter next week.

''I hope the parties will get back to the table, and Iran will take the necessary steps to cooperate with the IAEA that will give confidence to the international community that indeed its ambition is peaceful use of nuclear energy, and work with the international community in that respect,'' Mr Annan told reporters.

''I have said time and time again, the best solution is a negotiated one...The Council is seized of the matter, and will be discussing it, hopefully next week. We will take it from there,'' the Secretary General said.'' he said.

Earlier this week, the IAEA sent its report on Iran to the Security Council, marking the first time that diplomacy on the issue shifted from the Vienna-based Agency which has technical expertise, to the 15-member body, which has the power to adopt internationally-binding resolutions.

UNI