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Iran to help in implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701: Annan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Beirut, Sept 6, IRNA
Annan-Iran-Lebanon
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday that Iran has agreed to help in the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 which ended the war in Lebanon.

In an interview with `Al-Hayat' newspaper, Annan said Iranian officials believe the resolution provides a valuable opportunity to find a final solution to the border issue with Israel and hopefully lead to a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon.

He said his talks with Iranian officials also included the issue of a prisoner exchange, that is, a possible release of the two captured Israeli soldiers in exchange for freedom for Lebanese prisoners, adding that Iranians, however, had made clear their position that any such prisoner exchange was an internal affair of Lebanon but that they were willing to provide help.

With respect to the Israeli demand for disarmament of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Annan said that the decision should come from Lebanese officials within the framework of an agreement with Hezbollah, adding that his view was shared by Iranians who also believe the parties should arrive at a consensus.

Referring to Israel's continued air and sea blockade of Lebanon, he said Iranian officials were of the view the siege should be lifted because of the suffering it is causing to the Lebanese people.

He said that during the war he had talked by telephone with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad twice and Ahmadinejad had expressed concern over the serious consequences of the war.

Annan stressed the importance of international efforts to reinforce security in Lebanon in order to guarantee that the war would never be repeated.

Asked to comment on the possibility of resumption of talks on the nuclear issue, the secretary-general said that Iran had offered assurances that it would hold serious talks and was not in any way interested in acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iranians believe that it would be unfair for them to be asked to suspend uranium enrichment before the start of negotiations, he said, and informed that an important meeting is to be held between Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Larijani and the European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana this week.

He added that he had encouraged both sides to resume discussions on the West's package of incentives because the two sides demand explanation on certain ambiguities therein.

Annan expressed hope the meeting between Larijani and Solana would produce positive results and removed ambiguities pointed out by both sides.

He said the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- China, Russia, Britain, France and the United State -- plus Germany (Group 5+1) were to meet again on Thursday to discuss Iran's nuclear case.

He said that the purpose of his latest visit to Iran was not to discuss the nuclear standoff but the "developments in Lebanon, implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the peace process in the Middle East."
He assured that he would do his best to prevent escalation of tensions and confrontation between Iran and the international community.

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