JAKARTA: Indonesia, which has good relations with Iran and its critics, has offered to help mediate the stand-off with the United States and other countries over its nuclear programme.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, asked by reporters on Wednesday what role Indonesia could play on the issue, said: “We can cooperate well in reducing the tension and move toward continuing talks and negotiations”.

He was speaking after a meeting visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said “Iran was very receptive” to Indonesia’s offer to help mediate.

“We hope it will happen. We need to breathe new life into negotiations,” he said. —Reuters