(26 Jan 2006) SHOTLIST
1. Ali Larijani, Iran's top nuclear negotiator walking out of airport and getting into vehicle
2. Iranian delegates standing beside cars
3. Close-up of Iranian flag on vehicle
4. Mid shot of vehicle driving away
STORYLINE:
Iran's top nuclear negotiator arrived in Beijing on Thursday.
Ali Larijani will attempt to gain China's support against US and European efforts to have Tehran brought before the UN Security Council.
Larijani was scheduled to meet with top Chinese officials during his daylong trip, the Iranian Embassy said.
China, a veto-wielding member of the Security Council, says it favours diplomacy in dealing with Iran's disputed nuclear activities.
But the United States and Europe have been lobbying Beijing to take a tougher stand. They have sought its support to have Iran brought before the Security Council, which can impose a range of sanctions or other measures.
US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who is visiting China this week, warned Chinese leaders on Wednesday that allowing Iran to potentially develop nuclear weapons could threaten Beijing's crucial supplies of Middle Eastern oil.
China's hesitation over a Security Council referral has prompted suggestions that Beijing wants to avoid angering Iran, a major oil source for its energy-hungry economy.
China, Russia and India are allies and trading partners of Iran and have been reluctant to see Tehran punished or ostracised through the Security Council.
The US and some European nations fear Iran wants to develop a nuclear bomb. Tehran says its intentions are peaceful and that it wants only civilian nuclear energy.
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