Secretary-General and Bush hold wide-ranging talks in meeting at UN Headquarters

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today held wide-ranging discussions with United States President George W. Bush at United Nations Headquarters in New York on the eve of what is expected to the largest ever summit of world leaders.

Mr. Bush expressed his support for the world body, and the two leaders discussed Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, African peacekeeping missions and the situation in Sudan’s Darfur region.

The meeting was one of many bilateral meetings Mr. Annan is expected to have to coincide with the three-day 2005 World Summit opening tomorrow.