Ahmadinejad Says UN Security Council Has 'No Legitimacy'

At a rally in central Iran today, Mahmud Ahmadinejad reiterated his
stance that UN and Western pressure could not stop Iran from acquiring
nuclear technology, and referred to any UN resolution as a "torn piece
of paper."


Ahmadinejad's statements came after the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said diplomats from the the five permanent, veto-holding Security Council members -- the United
States, Russia, France, China, and Britain -- and Germany have reached "an agreement in principle" on a proposed new set
of Security Council sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

Acting U.S. Ambassador Alejandro Wolff said the proposed package of sanctions must still receive final confirmation from the governments of the six powers.

Diplomats said a draft sanctions resolution was expected to be introduced into the full 15-member Security Council later today.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the draft text had "by and large" been agreed.

Reports say the proposed new sanctions would include a ban on Iranian conventional arms exports to penalize Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment.

(AP, AFP, Reuters)