Annan Joins Chorus of Despair Over Iran

The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, has added his voice to the chorus of international despair over Iran's call to wipe Israel off the map.

Mr Annan expressed "dismay" over the call by the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, and warned Iran that all UN members had agreed to "refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity... of any state".

It is unusual for the UN to publicly condemn a member state.

In his statement, Mr Annan said that Israel, a long-standing member, had "the same rights and obligations as every other member".

Mr Ahmedinejad's comments have been widely rebuked by world leaders including the prime minister, Tony Blair, who condemned them as "completely and totally unacceptable".

After the EU's one-day summit at Hampton Court, in Surrey, Mr Blair warned that the world would demand direct action against Tehran if the threats were repeated.

"Anyone in Europe, knowing our history ... When we hear such statements made about Israel it makes us feel very angry. It's just completely wrong," said Mr Blair.

In response to Mr Ahmedinejad's comments, the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, said Iran should be expelled from the UN. "A country that calls for the destruction of another people cannot be a member of the UN," he said.

Mr Annan is due to visit Iran over the next few weeks to discuss other issues, including Tehran's nuclear programme.

But the secretary general now says he will place the Middle East peace process and the "right of all states in that area to live in peace, within secure and recognised boundaries, free from threats or acts of force" at the top of his agenda.

The US, Canada, Russia and European leaders, have all criticised Mr Ahmadinejad's remarks, though none agreed with Mr Sharon that Iran should be thrown out of the UN.

Several countries, including Britain, France, Russia, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, also rebuked Iranian diplomats.