Iran leader insists on rights, ready to talk-agency

TEHRAN, July 12 (Reuters) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today that Iran was ready to talk about its nuclear programme with all parties in a ''fair atmosphere'' but would not retreat from what it sees as its national rights.

The United States and the European Union have warned Iran it could face U N Security Council action if it does not accept an offer of economic and diplomatic benefits in exchange for suspending uranium enrichment -- which Iran says is its right.

''If the atmosphere is fair, we are prepared to negotiate with everybody,'' Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by Iran's student news agency ISNA. But he added ''Our nation will not retreat one iota from its rights on global issues.'' Foreign ministers of the world's top powers meet in Paris later today to decide how to handle Iran, which the West accuses of trying to develop nuclear weapons, after Tehran said it needed more time to consider the deal they offered on June 6.

Iran insists its nuclear ambitions are purely civilian.

France, Britain, Germany, the United States, China and Russia agreed last month on an as yet undisclosed package of measures aimed at persuading Iran to abandon large-scale uranium enrichment, which produces fuel for nuclear power plants, or for weapons if highly enriched.

They told the Iranians they wanted a clear response before the July 15-17 Group of Eight industrialised nations summit in Russia.

REUTERS SHB VV1727