Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met Tuesday with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki in London on Iran's nuclear issue.

Li, who is in London to attend a two-day international conference on Afghanistan, said while Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be respected, the country should also meet its obligations.

China holds that the Iranian nuclear issue should be settled within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and hopes that Iran and the Europe Union will continue to work out a long-term solution through diplomatic negotiations, he said.

For his part, Mottaki said it is quite helpful for Iran and China to keep consultations on Iran's nuclear issue.

Iran has no intention to seek nuclear weapons, but it has the right to possess nuclear technology, said Mottaki.

Nuclear issues are becoming increasingly sensitive, the Iranian foreign minister said, adding that Iran opposes attempts to refer the Iranian issue to the UN Security Council.

Iran is willing to allay the world's worries over Iran's nuclear activity and figure out a comprehensive solution through negotiations, he noted.

Li also held talks with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday on issues ranging from Afghanistan, Iran, the Middle East to the UN reform. 

(Xinhua News Agency Febuary 1, 2006)