Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis
UNITED NATIONS, May 18 (Xinhua) -- A draft resolution on sanctions against Iran was circulated on Tuesday afternoon to the entire UN Security Council, yet a well-informed diplomatic source said here that this does not mean the end of diplomatic efforts.
"The circulation of the draft resolution at the Security Council does not mean the door for the diplomatic efforts has been closed," the diplomatic source from the Chinese Mission to the UN told Xinhua.
The draft was agreed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and Germany (P5+1) after rounds of intensive consultations in New York since April.
The diplomat said the five permanent members have agreed to give enough time for the 10 non-permanent members to ponder over the "very complicated" draft resolution, adding it probably takes two to three weeks for the Council to vote on the draft.
"This will be a period for the Council members to accumulate consensus through further diplomatic efforts," said the diplomat.
The 15-member council met behind close doors Tuesday afternoon to receive the draft resolution. Sources close to the issue said the draft reflects the "double track" strategy, which contains words on sanctions against Iran and also supports and encourages diplomatic efforts.
