United Nations: Terming the past year as a "trying" one in terms of peace and security, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said the war in Iraq severely tested the principle of collective security and the resilience of the world body.

In his annual report on the work of the UN released on September 15, Annan said, "Rarely in its 58-year history have such dire forecasts been made about the United Nations," apparently referring to statements that the world body has become irrelevant because of its failure to assume a more primary role in Iraq.

"The United Nations will emerge strengthened if we make a measured appreciation of what happened, think about the sort of organisation we want in the future, and start making the necessary changes," he said.

Recounting the various peace operations of the UN, the Secretary General noted that peace agreements by themselves mark only the first step in brining lasting peace and prosperity to war-torn societies.

"Countries emerging from civil strife must find their own paths to humane governance and national reconciliation, but international assistance will often be necessary," he said.

Annan also paid tribute to his Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, who, along with 21 others, was killed in a bomb blast – "a cold-blooded and savage attack" – at the UN headquarters in Baghdad on August 19.

PTI