Annan congratulates UK's Blair on elections, looks forward to collaboration on UN reform

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today expressed his warmest congratulations to Prime Minister Tony Blair on the results of the elections held Thursday in the United Kingdom.

A statement issued by a spokesman for Mr. Annan in New York said the Secretary-General "greatly values the close working relationship he has established over the past eight years with Mr. Blair and his Government.

"The Secretary-General looks forward to continued collaboration with the British Government in dealing with the many challenging issues before the United Nations, including the critical process of reform the Organization is undertaking," the statement said.