Security meeting to focus on Iran

Controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear programme is expected to dominate a security conference in Munich.

The meeting of defence ministers and MPs is to be addressed by Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani.

Mr Larijani said he believed Iran's dispute over its nuclear programme could be resolved through negotiations.

On Saturday Russian President Vladimir Putin told the meeting the United States exerted "almost uncontained" use of force around the world.

The United Nations has set a deadline later this month for Iran either to stop enriching uranium or face broader economic sanctions.

'No way around'

The conference, founded in 1962, has become an annual opportunity for world leaders to discuss the most pressing issues of the day.

Earlier, German chancellor Angela Merkel told delegates the international community was determined to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons.

There was "no way around" the need for Tehran to accept demands from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she said.

"What we are talking about here is a very, very sensitive technology, and for that reason we need a high degree of transparency, which Iran has failed to provide, and if Iran does not do so then the alternative for Iran is to slip further into isolation," she said.

Mr Larijani has been repeating Iran's position that it wants nuclear power, not nuclear weapons.

"We believe the Iranian nuclear dossier is resolvable by negotiation," Mr Larijani was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying on the sidelines of the conference.

European diplomats are hoping to hold informal talks with Mr Larijani at the two-day summit.

It would be their first meeting since the collapse of talks last year and the imposition of limited UN sanctions on Tehran for its failure to stop the enrichment of uranium.

Washington's "very dangerous" approach to global relations was fuelling a nuclear arms race, Mr Putin said on Saturday.

Correspondents say the strident speech may signal a more assertive Russia.

The White House said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the Russian president's comments.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6351137.stm