Brazil opposes unilateral military action against Iran

Brazilian president says such an initiative will represent a violation of the UN Charter.

BRASILIA: Brazil's president voiced opposition Friday to any unilateral military action against Iran over its controversial nuclear program, saying this would violate the United Nations charter.

"I am particularly concerned about the growing rethoric in support of unilateral military action in Iran," Dilma Rousseff said after holding talks with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron.

"Any such initiative would represent a violation of the UN Charter, with serious consequences for the Middle East," she added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded that a "clear red line" be drawn on Iran's nuclear drive.

Friday, he held a telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama in which the two men stressed their "shared goal" to stop Iran getting a nuclear bomb.

Tehran faces mounting international pressure over its nuclear enrichment program, which western powers say hides a bid to acquire a nuclear bomb.

Tehran denies the charge but there has been mounting speculation that Israel could launch a military strike against its bunkered nuclear facilities.

Rousseff also spoke out against military intervention in Syria, calling instead for a political process led by the rival Syrian sides.

She also expressed support for UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who Monday said he saw no immediate prospect for an end to the Syrian civil war.

Brahimi, who took over from Kofi Annan as international envoy on September 1, has appealed to the divided 15-nation Security Council for united backing for his efforts.

"There is no military solution to the Syrian crisis. A political process led by the Syrians themselves is the best way to resolve the conflict. For this it is fundamental to support the initiatives of the new UN-Arab League envoy," Rousseff said.