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French Diplomat: World Powers to Work on New Iran Resolution


A French diplomat says the six world powers discussing Iran's controversial nuclear program have agreed to begin work on a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for new sanctions against Tehran.

The diplomat, who asked to remain anonymous, said there is reason to believe there soon may be a new sanctions resolution on Iran.

He made his remarks after officials from Germany and the five permanent Security Council members - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China - met Saturday in Paris to discuss new sanctions on Iran.

The Council already has passed two sanctions resolutions on Iran for its refusal to stop enriching uranium, a process than can be used to make nuclear weapons.

On Friday, negotiations between Iran and the European Union failed to produce a breakthrough in the nuclear standoff.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana must soon report to the U.N. Security Council on Iran's willingness to comply with demands to stop enriching uranium. His report could determine whether the Council imposes a third set of sanctions on Iran.

The United States and other Western nations accuse Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian energy program. Tehran denies the charge.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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