Russia refuses to back sanctions on Iran's nuclear weapons programme

Chinese President Hu Jintao has held meetings with his Iranian and Afghan counterparts on the sidelines of a regional summit in Beijing.

Mr Hu urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be "flexible and pragmatic" ahead of talks on Iran's nuclear program, China's state media say.

According to Xinhua news agency Mr Hu urged the Iranian president to co-operate with the UN's nuclear watchdog.

"China hopes Iran can take a flexible and pragmatic approach, have serious talks with all the six related nations and enhance dialogue and cooperation with the IAEA to ensure tensions are eased," Xinhua quoted Hu Jintao as telling his Iranian counterpart.

Iran is to hold talks with a group of six nations, commonly known as "P5 plus one" on the nuclear issue. They include the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and China.

The UN nuclear agency has rebuked Iran for failing to stop atomic activity.

The board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed "serious concern" about Tehran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

Thirty-one out of 35 member states voted in favour of the resolution, one voted against and three abstained.

Cuba opposed the measure and Egypt, Ecuador and Tunisia abstained. All four countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, of which Iran is currently the rotating president.

The IAEA's resolution was proposed by the United States, China, Russia, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

This move is a display of unity by the six world powers, says the BBC's Bethany Bell, in Vienna.

It also increases the pressure on Iran at a time when Israel has stepped up hints about a possible military strike, our correspondent adds.

Iran's nuclear chief has warned that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) may have been infiltrated by "terrorists and saboteurs".

Fereydun Abbasi-Davani said explosions had cut power lines to a uranium enrichment facility last month shortly before a visit by IAEA inspectors.

He also accused the UN's nuclear watchdog of mismanagement and said it was influenced by "certain states".