U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made a number of important contributions to the United Nations over the years.

In the most recent past, the Kingdom, along with South Africa, had played "an indispensable role in dealing with the Lockerbie issue", Annan told Riyadh Daily in an interview published today. He added that he was deeply grateful for their assistance. 'On April 5th, 1999, the day that I reported to the Security Council that the two Libyan nationals accused in the Lockerbie affair had arrived safely in the Netherlands, I took the opportunity to thank all those who had worked to make this possible. I expressed particular gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz and Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, and to President Mandela of South Africa as well as to all those who diligently supported or assisted them,' he noted.

Annan said Saudi Arabia has made a number of critical contributions to the United Nations over the years, adding that he was confident that it will continue to do so in future. 'Perhaps your country's leadership at the United Nations is best exemplified by the initiatives taken by Ambassador Samir Shihabi, who was President of the forty-sixth session of the General Assembly. Ambassador Shihabi admirably guided the work of that session, and continued his support for the United Nations as Head of the Council of Presidents of the General Assembly. The Council's members are undertaking, under Ambassador Shihabi's leadership, to support the General Assembly, and the United Nations generally, by pledging their experience and abilities,' he told the interviewer, the Editor-in-Chief of Riyadh Daily.

During the interview, Annan also spoke of the need for a political solution of the Kashmir issue; welcomed the positive change in mood in the Middle East and the need for a comprehensive peace in the region; efforts undertaken by the United Nations to end tension between North and South Africa; and the crisis in Kosovo and U.N. help for refugees to return to their homes.

The Secretary General also answered a question on the efforts of Japan and Germany to gain permanent membership of the Security Council and the proposals of some countries to reform the Security Council.

Source: SPA