Wednesday, May 10 2006 13:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jakarta: Iran's president today (May 10, 2006) insisted that his country's nuclear programme is peaceful and that it has every right o purse new technology, amid international efforts to get Tehran to suspend enrichment of uranium.

Iran's nuclear programme is 'totally peaceful,'' Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said after meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta, adding that Iran will 'absolutely not back out' from defending its right to pursue new technology.

Ahmadinejad fighting a U.S.-led effort to bring United Nations sanctions dwn on Iran if it refuses to compromise on the nuclear standoff is in Indonesia for athree-day state visit followed by a development conference on the resort island of Bali.

Yudhoyono added that he hopes the issue will be resolved peacefully.

The United States accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies, saying it aims only to generate energy.

The U.S. government is backing a draft U.N. resolution that could lead to sanctions and possible military action if Iran does not suspend uranium enrichment.