Russia has helped Iran develop its nuclear program and has opposed sanctions.

He has opposed tough sanctions on Iran, on their oil programme.

He opposed economic sanctions on South Africa in the 1980s.

Almost alone among black leaders, he opposed economic sanctions against South Africa.

China has also consistently opposed economic and non-military sanctions on Sudan.

But the members of the development community have opposed sanctions, a step the European Union is considering.

John opposed sanctions, but his brother supported them.

Russia meanwhile continued to oppose sanctions against the regime.

Developing countries oppose such sanctions as protectionism aimed at products that provide jobs to their people.

Buthelezi says he opposed sanctions because they hurt blacks, not whites, by denying them jobs.