LAVROV

MOSCOW (Reuters):

Russia said yesterday attempts by its Western partners to ditch agreed principles in handling Iran's nuclear ambitions were blocking adoption of a U.N. Security Council resolution on sanctions against Tehran.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference Russia was also alarmed by what it saw as Western attempts to hamper its economic cooperation with the Islamic republic and bring it under international control.

Lavrov said the five permanent Security Council members and Germany had agreed any action against Iran should rule out the use of force, help find a negotiated solution to the problem and back efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency.