"We are trying to do whatever we can with the World Health Organization, Red Cross and our own humanitarian people to see how we can get medication in as soon as possible," Mr. Annan told reporters on arrival at UN Headquarters in New York when asked for his thoughts about the latest situation in the Iraqi capital.

"But as far as the actual situation in Baghdad is concerned, it is too early to comment to determine who is in charge, who is going to run the city, and what has happened to the government," he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Annan has received an invitation from Prime Minister Costas Simitis of Greece, in his capacity as President of the European Union, to attend the European Conference in Athens on 17 April, to discuss the situation in Iraq, according to a UN spokesman.

Since that occasion will provide him with the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the European Union, as well as other participating countries, the Secretary-General has decided not to travel this week to London, Paris, Berlin and Moscow, a trip that had been previously announced, the spokesman said.