Ban Ki-moon welcomes Iran nuke deal

UNITED NATIONS: UN chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed the historic agreement reached between Iran and the world powers on Tehran's nuclear programme and asked all the parties to build on the "encouraging" start.

"Warmly" welcoming the interim agreement that would temporarily freeze Iran's nuclear programme, Ban congratulated the negotiators for the progress made in "what could turn out to be the beginnings of a historic agreement for the peoples and nations of the Middle East region and beyond."

A statement issued by the Secretary General's spokesperson said Ban urges the governments of Iran and the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, Germany to do "everything possible to build on this encouraging start, creating mutual confidence and allowing continued negotiations to extend the scope of this initial agreement."

The Secretary-General reaffirmed his "unswerving commitment" to strengthening nuclear disarmament and the non-proliferation regime, calling on the international community to support the process which, if allowed to succeed, is likely to be to the long-term benefit of all parties.

According to the agreement, Iran would agree to stop enriching uranium beyond five per cent.