Monday, September 11 2006 17:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: Russia said it has no plans to abandon construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran over Teheran's refusal to stop uranium enrichment.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described as 'absolutely untrue' the reports in a section of media that Moscow would stop building the plant.

"They are not even based on any indirect information," Lavrov said in an interview to pro-Kremlin daily 'Vremya Novostyei' published today, adding whoever circulates these reports, it's a provocation.

"By circulating these 'outright lies', they are playing into the hands of those who want to frustrate all chances of starting talks with Iran on its controversial nuclear programme," he added.

"It's an attempt to trick the public into thinking that Iran would oust International Atomic Energy Agency experts sooner or later, while Russia would have to close down the nuclear power plant in Bushehr," he said.

The Minister criticised the rather tough statement by US ambassador to the UN John Bolton, who had pressed for more robust steps against Iran.

"Such statements add even more irrationality to the situation, (which is) already irrational," Lavrov observed.

Earlier, meeting a group of top Western Russia experts, President Vladimir Putin said it was 'premature' to impose sanctions on Iran and called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.