UNITED NATIONS, July 20: The Palestinian Authority (PA) must reform its security apparatus to tackle prevailing turmoil, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday.

"They are facing a serious situation, a serious crisis, and they have to take steps to bring it under control because without that, it is going to be very difficult to see any progress in the way forward," he told reporters here.

Asked whether he felt "vindicated" for backing UN envoy Terje Roed Larsen's comments last week, Mr Annan said that was beside the point. "I made clear in my own statement that I supported Larsen's statement, and he was stating the facts and I think events have borne him out, but that is not anything to take satisfaction from."

He added: "What is important is the actions that need to be taken on the ground to bring it under control."