China and Russia will not back a draft resolution by the United Nations Security Council that allows military action or even threats to settle Iran's nuclear case, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
According to IRNA, Lavrov was speaking to reporters after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Li Zhaoxing, in Beijing on Tuesday during which the two sides reiterated the need to settle Iran's nuclear case through diplomatic means.
Moscow and Beijing will not support any measure that authorizes the use of force against Tehran to settle its nuclear case, the Russian minister said, and called for resumption of talks for this purpose. Beijing and Moscow have also expressed opposition to the invocation of Chapter 7 of the UN Charter in the draft resolution sought to be passed this week against Iran in the Council. Chapter 7 authorizes sanctions or even military force on a UN member that defies the Council's resolutions.
