Pakistan opposes use of force against Iran

The Peninsula:

Web posted at: 8/16/2005 1:10:57

Source ::: Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Nuclear-armed Pakistan said yesterday it was opposed to the use of force against Iran to press it to give up its nuclear programme, saying that would destablise the region.

US President George W Bush said last week he could consider force against Iran as a last resort.

US ally Pakistan, which borders Iran, said it supported negotiations between Iran and the European Union and hoped for a peaceful settlement of the dispute.

"We are against the use of force because we believe force is not going to resolve any problem. It is going to further destablise this region," Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Naeem Khan told a weekly briefing.

"We believe that all parties need to fulfil their obligations. We also feel Iran has a legitimate right, under the NPT, for the peaceful use of nuclear energy," he said, referring to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Washington accuses Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its ambitions are limited to seeking fuel for nuclear power stations.

Iran angered the Europeans and the United States last week by resuming uranium conversion at its Isfahan plant despite US and EU calls that it not restart work there.