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Annan to press Iran on UN demands Annan to press Iran on UN demands
(40 minutes later)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is in Tehran for key talks with Iranian leaders on strengthening the UN-sponsored truce in south Lebanon.UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is in Tehran for key talks with Iranian leaders on strengthening the UN-sponsored truce in south Lebanon.
Mr Annan is expected to seek Iranian backing for UN resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day war in Lebanon.Mr Annan is expected to seek Iranian backing for UN resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day war in Lebanon.
His talks are also set to focus on Iran's controversial nuclear programme. His talks are also focusing on Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
The visit comes two days after the UN nuclear watchdog reported that Iran had failed to meet the Security Council's deadline to halt uranium enrichment.The visit comes two days after the UN nuclear watchdog reported that Iran had failed to meet the Security Council's deadline to halt uranium enrichment.
On arrival in Tehran, Mr Annan said he expected to discuss "issues of concern to this region and to the international community".On arrival in Tehran, Mr Annan said he expected to discuss "issues of concern to this region and to the international community".
It is the latest stop on Mr Annan's tour of a crisis-ridden Middle East.It is the latest stop on Mr Annan's tour of a crisis-ridden Middle East.
StabiliseStabilise
He is said to have been encouraged by his meeting on Friday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. Mr Annan began his time in Iran by meeting Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
He is also due to meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani.
The UN chief is said to have been encouraged by his meeting on Friday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.
Mr Assad gave him assurances that Syria would increase security on its border with Lebanon and take steps to curb the flow of arms to the Lebanese guerrilla movement Hezbollah.Mr Assad gave him assurances that Syria would increase security on its border with Lebanon and take steps to curb the flow of arms to the Lebanese guerrilla movement Hezbollah.
Iran may accept that Lebanon now needs a period of calm to rebuildIran may accept that Lebanon now needs a period of calm to rebuild
Mr Annan's aides say he will tell Iran that if it took similar steps to stabilise the situation, it would be greatly appreciated.Mr Annan's aides say he will tell Iran that if it took similar steps to stabilise the situation, it would be greatly appreciated.
As he meets Iranian leaders, the first major new contingent of foreign troops to expand the UN force tasked with policing the ceasefire is due to arrive in southern Lebanon.As he meets Iranian leaders, the first major new contingent of foreign troops to expand the UN force tasked with policing the ceasefire is due to arrive in southern Lebanon.
Nearly 900 Italian soldiers have begun landing from boats in the southern port city of Tyre.Nearly 900 Italian soldiers have begun landing from boats in the southern port city of Tyre.
They will be part of a UN force which will eventually total up to 15,000 troops.They will be part of a UN force which will eventually total up to 15,000 troops.
Hezbollah's armsHezbollah's arms
Resolution 1701 calls for other countries to withhold supplies of arms to any group other than the Lebanese government.Resolution 1701 calls for other countries to withhold supplies of arms to any group other than the Lebanese government.
Along with Syria, Iran is a key supporter of Hezbollah.Along with Syria, Iran is a key supporter of Hezbollah.
It says its support for Hezbollah is primarily political, although analysts say it remains a major supplier of weaponry.It says its support for Hezbollah is primarily political, although analysts say it remains a major supplier of weaponry.
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says although Iran is unlikely to give up its strong support for Hezbollah, it may well meet Mr Annan half-way.The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says although Iran is unlikely to give up its strong support for Hezbollah, it may well meet Mr Annan half-way.
This could amount to tacitly accepting a period of calm during which Hezbollah can regroup and southern Lebanon's infrastructure can be rebuilt, our correspondent says.This could amount to tacitly accepting a period of calm during which Hezbollah can regroup and southern Lebanon's infrastructure can be rebuilt, our correspondent says.
Nuclear deadlockNuclear deadlock
Iran's nuclear programme is also likely to feature in talks between Mr Annan and Iranian leaders.Iran's nuclear programme is also likely to feature in talks between Mr Annan and Iranian leaders.
Iran strongly asserts its right to uranium enrichment, insisting it is solely for civilian power generation.Iran strongly asserts its right to uranium enrichment, insisting it is solely for civilian power generation.
The Security Council is divided over how to respond to IranThe Security Council is divided over how to respond to Iran
Hours before Mr Annan's visit, the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeated his warning that Iran would not abandon its nuclear programme. Hours before Mr Annan's visit, the Iranian president repeated his warning that Iran would not abandon its nuclear programme.
"They (the West) should know that this nation will not give up its absolute right to benefit from nuclear energy even one iota," he told an applauding crowd in the city of Miandoab. "They (the West) should know that this nation will not give up its absolute right to benefit from nuclear energy even one iota," Mr Ahmadinejad told an applauding crowd in the city of Miandoab.
Western powers suspect Iran may have ambitions to create a nuclear bomb.Western powers suspect Iran may have ambitions to create a nuclear bomb.
Six world powers are set to meet next week to decide on the way forward, after Iran missed the UN's 31 August deadline to halt enrichment.Six world powers are set to meet next week to decide on the way forward, after Iran missed the UN's 31 August deadline to halt enrichment.
It is not clear what sanctions the UN could agree to impose on Iran as the key powers are deeply divided over whether punitive measures should be taken, our correspondent says. The EU has indicated it is willing to give Iran extra time, during talks between the EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana and EU foreign ministers.
Correspondents say it is not clear what sanctions the UN could agree to impose on Iran as the key powers are deeply divided over whether punitive measures should be taken.