Friday, October 28 2005 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: Expressing 'dismay' over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's anti-Israel remarks, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said he will now make West Asian peace process the focus of his upcoming visit to the region.

In a strongly worded statement, Annan said "Under the United Nations Charter, all members have undertaken to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State."

" He also reminded all Member States that Israel is a long-standing member of the United Nations with the same rights and obligations as every other member," the statement issued yesterday (Oct 27, 2005) by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Ahmadinejad in a speech to a conference entitled 'The World without Zionism' on Wednesday called for Israel to be 'wiped off the map', triggering severe criticism from European countries and America.

Israel yesterday asked the United Nations to remove Iran from the membership of the world body, saying it's the first time since the creation of the UN that one of its members has openly called for the destruction of another.

Annan said he planned to raise the right of all states in the West-Asian region to 'live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force' during his forthcoming visit.

"The Secretary-General had already decided to visit Iran during the next few weeks, to discuss other issues. He now intends to place the Middle East peace process, and the right of all States in the area to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force, at the top of his agenda for that visit," he said.