UN chief calls for flexibility in n-talks with Iran

United Nations, Sep 24 (IANS/EFE) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to urge for flexibility on the part of Tehran in its talks with Western nations on Iran's nuclear program.

The two leaders agreed in their meeting Tuesday that the negotiators must reach a satisfactory agreement, diplomatic sources said.

At the same time, Iranian negotiators and representatives of the P5 +1 group (China, Russia, the United States, France, Britain plus Germany) continued negotiations Tuesday in New York.

Rouhani's government and the international community have not yet reached an agreement within the deadline established in the first half of the year, although the dialogue continues with intensive meetings at the bilateral and multilateral levels, the sources said.

Ban also urged the Iranian leader to participate in constructive commitments on Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and thanked Tehran for its support in the establishment of a more inclusive government in Baghdad.

Iran has refused to be part of the international coalition led by the US to combat the Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria and has labeled it as illegal.

Rouhani is in New York to participate in the annual UN General Assembly meeting beginning Wednesday in which the leaders of 193 countries have gathered to discuss international, regional and bilateral issues.

--IANS/EFE

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