PAKISTAN WON'T BACK USE OF FORCE AGAINST IRAN

During his blue ribbon round of White House meetings this week, the Pakistan defence minister has revealed his country will only back a diplomatic solution to the Nuclear Iran issue.

Pakistan joins China, Russia and Venezuela as key opponents to the Israel-Bush push for pre-emptive strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran, China, Pakistan, Russia, Venezuela and other South American countries, have signed each other up to energy and trade deals worth more than a $US1 trillion during the past two years.

"...we accept Iran's right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards," said Pakistan's defence minister, Shaukat Aziz.

"We have consistently advised Iran to address this issue through dialogue with the EU (European Union) troika. We also believe that countries such as Russia and China could play a constructive role to resolve this issue."