UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has expressed his hope that peaceful and democratic general elections will be held in Iraq next year.

He told reporters that he hopes Iraqi people will achieve national reconciliation and dialogue through elections, instead of resorting to violence.

In another development, Jordan's King Abdullah II has called for the preservation of the unity of the Iraqi people and comprehensive participation in the Iraqi elections.

During talks with Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi in Amman, the king stressed Jordan's keenness to provide the Iraqi people with every possible assistance to help them overcome their current difficulties.

Allawi said that Iraqi elections scheduled for January 30, next year will be held on time.

Allawi arrived in Amman Wednesday afternoon on a short visit to Jordan.

Source: CRI News