Iran says demand to halt atomic work illegal

TEHRAN, Feb 26 (Reuters) The West's demand that Iran suspend uranium enrichment to start talks on its nuclear programme is illegal, the Iranian government spokesman said today.

''Suspending uranium enrichment as a precondition for talks is an illegal and illogical demand, and it is in contradiction with the Iranian nation's dignity,'' government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham told a weekly news conference.

World powers meet in London today to discuss the Islamic Republic's nuclear plans.

REUTERS SRS PM1806