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Submitted by ctv_en_7 on Fri, 02/29/2008 - 11:20
Western envoys said the UN Security Council would probably vote on Saturday to impose a third round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, which Tehran said would be an illegal gesture to be ignored.

Iran denies Western charges it seeks nuclear weapons and has ignored three previous Security Council resolutions demanding it freeze its uranium enrichment program, which can produce fuel for nuclear power plants or atomic weapons.

The five permanent council members - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - and Germany, which is not on the council, agreed in Berlin on January 22 on a draft text outlining a third round of sanctions against Tehran.

Washington had hoped for a swift vote on the sanctions text but negotiations have dragged on for over a month. But US and British envoys said it looked as if a vote was finally near.

"We thought it was perfectly reasonable to (finalize the resolution) tomorrow and to vote on this important issue on Saturday," said US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.

The diplomat said he was referring to a proposal from Vietnam, one of four council members that have expressed concerns about the resolution drafted by Britain, France and Germany.

He also said South Africa, which has said it wanted to delay the sanctions vote, had requested a meeting with the European co-sponsors on Friday to discuss the resolution.

VOVNews/Reuters

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