BEIJING, Jan. 18 -- China, Russia and France have all expressed their concerns over how to deal with Iran's nuclear programme, following Tehran's decision last week to remove UN seals from its nuclear research facility.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan says China is appealing for a negotiated settlement to the dispute.

    "We hope all parties will try their best to resume the talks. And China will do its best to bring the issue back to the negotiation track."

    The appeal came on Tuesday after key members of the UN Security Council, meeting in London, said Iran must fully suspend its nuclear programme, but failed to agree on whether to refer the issue to the Security Council.

    The same day in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia fully supports the call for the resumption of talks, but it can be done only on condition of Iran's enrichment moratorium.

    But he also told reporters that sanctions aren't the best choice.

    "Sanctions are not the best or the only way to solve international problems. We remember the history of sanctions against Iraq and know how it all ended."

    Meanwhile in Paris, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said regional stability and the credibility of the non-proliferation system depend on a united stance against Iran.

¡¡  "France will deploy all its efforts to ensure that the international community is united."

    The United States and its European allies fear Iran intends to build a nuclear bomb, a charge Tehran denies.

    Iran says it will cease cooperating with the UN's nuclear watchdog if it is referred to the Security Council.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)