Mohammed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Monday repeated his appeal for all sides concerned to solve Iran's nuclear issue through dialogue.

In his speech at the 50th Annual Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference, ElBaradei expressed the hope that "through the ongoing dialogue between Iran and its European and other partners, the conditions will be created to engage a long overdue negotiation, which aims to achieve a comprehensive settlement."

He added that "a comprehensive settlement" by the international community should be concerned about Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear power.

Meanwhile, he criticized Iran for rejecting the request to suspend its uranium enrichment activities in line with the resolution of the UN Security Council.

He stressed that the IAEA could not make any further progress in its efforts to provide evidence about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, which "continues to be a matter of serious concern."

The 50th Annual Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference opened this week at the Austria Center in Vienna, Austria. High-level delegates from the Agency's 140 member states are present at the five-day conference, which marks the beginning of activities commemorating the IAEA's 50th anniversary this year.

Source: Xinhua