BEIJING, Feb 10: Negotiators failed on Saturday to clear final hurdles to a deal for North Korea to start dismantling its nuclear programme, but held out hope they could resolve lingering disputes over how to compensate Pyongyang for disarming.

After a third day of talks, negotiators had not yet reached agreement on a draft proposal from host China, and more meetings were planned on Sunday.

“I really think we are down to one main issue, which I think we can get through,” US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said.

Hill told reporters that the issue involved North Korea “wanting a very precise measurement with how we are going to go forward”. He did not specify the issue further, but added “it’s going to take a little time ... it may take another day or two to get through this.”

Asked if the current round of talks would end without a resolution, Hill said it was important to not give up.

“We are kind of reaching a point where we have got to solve this. If we don’t solve this I think it is sort of tough to reconvene the six parties.”—AP