General Kofi Annan is to visit Iran within the next few weeks where he is expected to meet top officials amid threats by the Iranian President that Israel must be wiped off the map. Iran Focus
A statement attributable to Annans spokesman on the remarks of the Iranian President said that following Mahmoud Ahmadinejads speech, the UN chief intended to discuss the Middle East peace process.
The Secretary General has read with dismay the remarks about Israel attributed to H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the spokesman said, adding, He recalls in particular that, under the United Nations Charter, all members have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
Annan had originally planned to travel to Iran to discuss other issues.
He now intends to place the Middle East peace process, and the right of all states in the area to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force, at the top of his agenda for that visit, his spokesman said.
It is believed that Annans visit will reflect growing concerns that Iran is fast becoming the trouble-spot on the international scene.
On Friday, the UN Security Council condemned the Iranian presidents threats against the state of Israel.
There is also growing pressure to refer Tehrans nuclear dossier to the Security Council for possible economic sanctions after the Islamic Republic refused to heed to a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UNs nuclear watchdog, to suspend its suspected nuclear weapons activities.
