IRAN NUCLEAR: AHMADINEJAD WARNS EUROPE

Tehran, 19 Dec. (AKI) - Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Tuesday three European countries - Britain, France and Germany, the so-called EU3 - engaged in talks over its nuclear programme, not to challenge Iran. "These three European countries should know that if they insist in denying Iran its (nuclear) rights then our people will consider them hostile and change approach as a consequence of this," the president said in a speech in Kermanshah, in western Iran, broadcast on state television.

Ahmadinejad also stressed once again that his country intends to push ahead with its atomic programme, which he claims is for civilian use.

The permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, China, Britain and France - plus Germany are discussing a draft resolution to impose sanctions on Iran over its programme fearing it is aimed at building nuclear weapons.