October 22, 2001	Monday	Shaba'an 4, 1422

TEHRAN, Oct 21: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami on Sunday called in talks with UN chief Kofi Annan for “free general elections” in Afghanistan and the formation of a “coalition government,” state radio reported.

“We hope for an increased role of the United Nations in this crisis in order to plan the organization of free general elections as well as the formation of a coalition government comprising all the parties,” Khatami said in a telephone conversation with the United Nations secretary general.

He also rejected “any formula imposed from the outside,” the radio said.

“We condemn terrorism as something disastrous and we also regret the war in Afghanistan,” Khatami said.

Annan for his part called on Tehran to “cooperate with the UN” to solve the crisis in Afghanistan.

“We lack means, budget and funds to assure assistance to the Afghan people,” Annan was quoted as saying.—AFP