China urged to back new UNSC sanctions on Iran

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WASHINGTON, Nov 27 (AFP): The United States (US) urged
China here Monday to back a new UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution mandating tougher sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, saying a deal with Beijing was possible soon.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented the US position to Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who is visiting Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
"The secretary underlined she thought it was important and the US government feels as though it is important to move forward with a new Security Council resolution," McCormack told reporters.
Rice also thought it important to "encourage China to play an effective role as they have done in the past year and half in formulating and passing a new Security Council resolution," he added.
McCormack said there would be a meeting in 'a week or so' of the political directors from the foreign ministries of France, Britain, Russia, China, Germany and the US to discuss the next steps.
Rice encouraged Yang to send a political director to the meeting, he added.