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Britain Seeking Diplomatic Solution To Iranian Crisis

17 January 2006 -- Britain says it would prefer a diplomatic solution to the stand-off between the West and Iran over the latter's nuclear program.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's office said Britain is open to talks that would avoid sending Iran to the UN Security Council.

Iran says that it wants such talks to continue.

Russia and China have urged caution in dealing with the dispute, saying they don't favor slapping sanctions on Tehran.

Yesterday, Britain, Germany, and France called for an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) next month that could vote on such a referral.

Today, IAEA head Mohammed El Baradei, met with Iran's envoy to the IAEA over how to deal with the crisis.

Iran has said it would suspend its cooperation with IAEA if it is called before the Security Council.

(AP, AFP, Reuters)

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org