Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini was commenting on a referendum held in the Azerbaijan breakaway region on Sunday approving a constitution which declared it an independent state.

"While Iran respects territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan it backs lasting and fair peace in the region," said the spokesman in a statement a copy of which was faxed to IRNA.

"Iran has repeatedly expressed its readiness to actively help the Karabakh peace talks," Hosseini stressed.

He expressed hope that talks would continue through democratic processes and lead to a sustainable peace in the region. IRNA