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UNSC seeking to facilitate Iran-IAEA cooperation: Russia foreign monister

Iran Materials 28 February 2007 13:29 (UTC +04:00)

( IRNA ) - The objective behind the UN Security Council's (UNSC) taking up of Iran's nuclear dossier is to pave the way for cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Speaking to reporters, Lavrov added that the aim of the UNSC was to find a political solution to the West's dispute with the Islamic Republic on the latter's nuclear program.

Recent moves of the 5+1 Group and European Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana were made for the same reason, Lavrov added.

The five permanent members of the Security Council -- US, Russia, China, Britain, France plus Germany (5+1 Group) -- met Monday to discuss a possible second resolution against Iran for failing to meet a deadline for suspension of uranium enrichment.

Reiterating his opposition to any military action against Iran, Lavrov called on all parties to exercise restraint and to take a balanced approach to the issue.

He urged members of the 5+1 Group, particularly the US, to temper their stances over Iran and avoid suggestions of possible military action on the country and instead focus on peaceful means to settle the dispute.

The Russian minister said he was convinced any attempt to solve the problem through force would be unproductive.

Stressing the importance of a return to the negotiating table, he said it would be an "unforgivable error" to lose the chance of restarting talks on Iran's nuclear case.

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