Britain expects Iran sanctions passed Saturday

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 23 (Reuters) Britain's UN ambassador said he expected a resolution imposing sanctions on Iran to be passed today after consultations in the 15-member council.

''I expect the resolution to be adopted in the next hour,'' Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry told reporters.

It is unclear if there were any last minute changes from Russia in the draft which bars Iran's trade in sensitive nuclear materials and technology and ballistic missiles.

But it appeared that Russia and China were on board for the resolution drafted by France, Britain and Germany and backed by the United States, diplomats said.

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