In Kuwait, Annan discusses regional issues with senior officials

Continuing his current tour of the Middle East, which took him yesterday to Baghdad, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today discussed regional issues in Kuwait with that country's top officials.

“I had very good discussions with the Prime Minister and with the Foreign Minister,” Mr. Annan told reporters after the talks. “We covered Iraq, Syria/Lebanon, we talked about UN reform and we talked about stability in this region in general.”

The Secretary-General said during his meetings in Baghdad with Iraqis, he had conveyed a message of reconciliation, “that it is better for them to all come together and all join the political process in an inclusive and transparent way, and also bear in mind the concerns and interests of others.”

He said elections are important signposts and force may be used in certain situations, 'but the final and long-term solution, long-term stability, is when they learn to live with each other.”

Mr. Annan reiterated his support for the planned Arab League conference on Iraq. “I hope the Iraqi parties will take advantage of that meeting and that encouragement and support from the region,” he said.