France yesterday played down Russia's rejection over a draft resolution on sanctions against Iran's nuclear program, saying it is "normal" that each country "has its position."

The European countries were "in the normal process of drawing up a United Nations resolution, aiming at reaching an agreement and ensuring the unity of the international community," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said in a press conference.

"Each country has its positions," Mattei said, "we have taken notes of Russia's declarations, and we will now pursue discussions in New York."

The six major nations of the United States, Russia, France, Britain, China and Germany have offered Iran incentives to halt uranium enrichment, but Tehran has rejected them.

European nations this week proposed sanctions banning the sale of missile and atomic technology to Iran and ending most UN help for its nuclear programs.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergue-Lavrov said on Thursday that the draft resolution proposed by Britain, France and Germany "does not respond to the mission which the six countries have previously agreed" on Iran's nuclear issue.

Sergue Kisliak, the ministry's vice president, said that "a long process of negotiation" was quite necessary "before making a decision acceptable for all."