China urges Iran to cooperate with IAEA - Xinhua

BEIJING, May 9: China's foreign minister urged Iran to cooperate with the global nuclear watchdog and also said the deepening dispute over Iran's atomic activities should be defused by negotiations, Xinhua news agency reported today.

Li Zhaoxing made the comments in New York yesterday after a meeting of all five foreign ministers of UN Security Council permanent members and of Germany, Xinhua said.

''We hope Iran will fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and clarify the related remaining issues so it can restore the confidence of the international community,'' Li said.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hosted the meeting to seek consensus on a UN resolution demanding Iran end uranium enrichment, which the Western powers say is pitched towards creating the ability to make nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear ambitions are legitimate and entirely peaceful.

Li repeated China's frequent call for restraint from all sides, and his comments offered no clear sign that China has shifted from its opposition to Washington's proposed resolution on the grounds it may pave the way for sanctions or military strikes against Iran.

Reuters

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