Iranian foreign minister, Dr Kamal Kharrazi, in an interview with parliamentary reporters on Wednesday expressed hope that Bushehr nuclear power plant would start operation by the end of 2006.

Referring to the fuel problem of the said power plant , Dr Kharrazi added: The contract for fuel has been concluded recently, and we hope that no other problem would arise in this regard.

Asked about Iran`s viewpoint on the recent events in relation to Al-Aqsa Mosque, Dr Kharrazi said: Our policy is fully clear; the behavior of the authorities of the Zionist regime and their stance vis-a-vis Al-Aqsa Mosque is disgraceful and indicative of a new plot.

He criticized the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) , and said: It is a matter of astonishment that OIC has not taken any measure in support of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

We hope necessary measures would be taken to fulfil the rights of the Muslims, he added.

On some 1700 Iranian nationals captured in Iraq, Dr Kharrazi said: This is among the issues under discussion between us and the Iraqi authorities. During the period when Ayad Allawi was in office as prime minister, our discussions led to issue of the order for release of the said captives, he added. With occurrence of some changes in Iraq, implementation of the said decision was postponed.

We hope with the establishment of the new government in that country, our nationals would be released, he went on to say.

He further said: The persons captured in Iraq have breached the related regulations, because according to the Iranian government`s strict order , no pilgrim should have entered Iraq, but despite this issue , some pilgrims entered that country, and we are making effort to bring about their release.

On the issue of Iran`s membership in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Group, Dr Kharrazi said: We ourselves want to become a member of that group, and we are qualified for that.

They also have to admit us as a member of the group.

As a powerful country we should be a member of such group, he stressed.