Annan hopeful of political settlement to Fallujah fighting

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today voiced hope that the standoff in the Iraqi city of Fallujah could be resolved without fighting, saying that it was tricky and dangerous to fight in a built-up area.

Speaking to CNN at UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General noted that the United States-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and the military on the ground have been extremely careful.

"Anytime one is forced to fight in built-up areas, it is a very tricky and a very dangerous situation because you want to protect civilians; at the same time you want to get to those who have guns and are shooting at you," Mr. Annan said.

"I hope they will succeed in working out a political settlement" without having to fight their way into Fallujah, he added.