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Iran insists on nuclear programme Iran insists on nuclear programme
(about 2 hours later)
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has insisted on Iran's right to develop nuclear fuel while staying within international rules.President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has insisted on Iran's right to develop nuclear fuel while staying within international rules.
Mr Ahmadinejad accused the West of making false offers - calling for talks and then insisting that Tehran first halts its uranium enrichment work.Mr Ahmadinejad accused the West of making false offers - calling for talks and then insisting that Tehran first halts its uranium enrichment work.
The president was addressing a mass rally in Tehran, marking the 28th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.The president was addressing a mass rally in Tehran, marking the 28th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
Iran's nuclear work is set to dominate a security conference in Munich.Iran's nuclear work is set to dominate a security conference in Munich.
The United Nations has set a deadline later this month for Iran either to stop enriching uranium or face broader economic sanctions. The BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says school children waved flags and screamed hysterically when the president appeared at the podium to speak.
Mr Ahmadinejad said Iran had no intention of pulling out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but added that it would be a "humiliation" to abandon its programme. [Iran] is interested in defending the rights of the Iranian people within the framework of the law President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Iran's nuclear work is also expected to feature in the meeting of defence ministers and MPs, to be addressed by Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani. The capital's largest square was packed with people, some holding posters comparing the American president to Adolf Hitler or making fun of US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.
Mr Larijani said he believed Iran's dispute over its nuclear programme could be resolved through negotiations. Mr Ahmadinejad accused Iran's enemies of trying to use the nuclear issue to undermine its independence.
"Today, the pretext of their opposition is the progress the Iranian nation has made in the field of nuclear energy," he said.
The president said Iran had no intention of pulling out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but added that it would be a "humiliation" to abandon its programme.
He said he would defend the rights of the Iranian people "within the framework of the law".
Our correspondent says this gives little hope of a change of heart just 10 days ahead of a UN deadline to stop enriching uranium or face broader economic sanctions.
'No way around''No way around'
The security conference, founded in 1962, has become an annual opportunity for world leaders to discuss the most pressing issues of the day. Iran's controversial nuclear activities are expected to feature in the meeting of defence ministers and MPs, to be addressed by Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani.
Mr Larijani said he believed Iran's dispute over its nuclear programme could be resolved through negotiations.
We believe the Iranian nuclear dossier is resolvable by negotiation Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Cold war fears Nuclear stand-off guideWe believe the Iranian nuclear dossier is resolvable by negotiation Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani Cold war fears Nuclear stand-off guide
The security conference, founded in 1962, has become an annual opportunity for world leaders to discuss the most pressing issues of the day.
Earlier, German chancellor Angela Merkel told delegates the international community was determined to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons.Earlier, German chancellor Angela Merkel told delegates the international community was determined to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons.
There was "no way around" the need for Tehran to accept demands from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she said.There was "no way around" the need for Tehran to accept demands from the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she said.
Mr Larijani has been repeating Iran's position that it wants nuclear power, not nuclear weapons.Mr Larijani has been repeating Iran's position that it wants nuclear power, not nuclear weapons.
"We believe the Iranian nuclear dossier is resolvable by negotiation," Mr Larijani was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying on the sidelines of the conference.
European diplomats are hoping to hold informal talks with Mr Larijani at the two-day summit.European diplomats are hoping to hold informal talks with Mr Larijani at the two-day summit.
It would be their first meeting since the collapse of talks last year and the imposition of limited UN sanctions on Tehran for its failure to stop the enrichment of uranium.It would be their first meeting since the collapse of talks last year and the imposition of limited UN sanctions on Tehran for its failure to stop the enrichment of uranium.
On Saturday Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Washington's "very dangerous" approach to global relations was fuelling a nuclear arms race.On Saturday Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Washington's "very dangerous" approach to global relations was fuelling a nuclear arms race.
Correspondents say the strident speech may signal a more assertive Russia.
The White House said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the Russian president's comments.The White House said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the Russian president's comments.