UNITED NATIONS, Aug 14: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan Friday offered the world body's help to end the current fighting in Iraq, particularly in the holy city of Najaf, in a statement issued by his spokesman.

The statement said that Mr Annan was deeply saddened by the violence and especially concerned about reports on the condition of Said Moqtada Al-Sadr, a Shia Muslim cleric who was wounded according to some reports.

"The secretary-general reiterates his appeal to all concerned to show the utmost restraint in these difficult circumstances," a statement issued by his spokesman said. The Secretary-General has made clear his position that force should always be a last resort. The UN is dedicated to the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes."

It added that Mr Annan continued to attach great importance to the establishment of the widest possible consensus among Iraqis in support of a peaceful political transition.

"The UN remains committed to doing everything possible to assist the Iraqi people to that end, and stands ready to extend its facilitating role in helping to resolve the current crisis, if this would be helpful," the statement declared.

Mr Annan's Special Representative for Iraq Ashraf Jehangir Qazi of Pakistan arrived in Baghdad on Friday and met the prime minister and other leaders of the Iraqi interim government.