DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Friday urged Iran to give up its possible nuclear weapons program, but ruled out the use of force.

    "We are most decisively in favor of that fact that Iran completely gives up military use of nuclear power forever, if at all possible, but this is a target that has to be achieved throughdiplomatic means," Schroeder said at the World Economic Forum.

    "The last thing we need is a military conflict in that region,"Schroeder added.

    Germany stands firmly against a military strike on Iran despiteWashington's recent military threat against Tehran.

    US President George W. Bush said on Jan. 17 that he could not rule out military action against Iran if Iran was not more forthcoming about its suspected nuclear program.

    Confronting the threat, Iran recently ruled out the possibilityof opening talks with Washington during Bush's second term, foreseeing no major change in US policy toward Tehran. Enditem