July 25, 2008	Friday	Rajab 21, 1429

MOSCOW: Russia said on Thursday it opposed any artificial deadlines being issued to Iran to force it to respond to incentives from world powers on suspending its nuclear activities.

But it also warned Tehran against dragging out the process.

Western powers suspect Iran is seeking to build atomic bombs. The Islamic Republic says its nuclear programme is a peaceful drive aimed at generating electricity so that it can export more of its oil and gas.

Six world powers, including Russia, last month offered Iran economic and other incentives in return for it suspending uranium enrichment, which the Islamic Republic has repeatedly refused to do.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters on the sidelines of the Asean Regional Forum in Singapore that artificial deadlines complicated the issue.—Reuters