Iran nuclear debate not on security summit agenda, official says

Iran nuclear debate not on security summit agenda, official says

Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui said the leaders of China,Russia and nine other mostly Central Asian countries will discuss international and regional security at Thursday's Shanghai Cooperation Organization, according to the AP.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will make a speech at the summit in Shanghai, as will the other leaders, Li told reporters.

Li's remarks underscore the delicate balance the Shanghai grouping is facing. Founded a decade ago to deal with border issues, the group has slowly expanded into counterterrorism, defense issues and energy and economic cooperation. But it has largely shied away from taking bold public stands.