In wake of deadly earthquake in Iran, Annan voices sympathy, UN offers assistance

The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today voiced his distress over the human toll and extensive damage inflicted by an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale that hit various provinces in the western part of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

A spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement released in New York that the Secretary-General was deeply saddened by the tragedy and wished to convey his condolences and deepest sympathy to the Government of Iran and to the victims of the disaster.

According to the spokesman, the Office for the UN Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has been in contact with the Iranian authorities through the UN Resident Representative's office in Teheran, and offered assistance, including the deployment of a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team to work with the national emergency management authorities in coordinating international response to the emergency.