U.S. President George W. Bush should talk to Iran and Syria before he makes decisions on solution to the crisis in Iraq, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told France Radio International (RFI) on Thursday.

"I believe the neighboring countries, Iran and Syria, have to be involved," Annan said in a RFI program entitled, "10 years as head of UN."

Bush should talk to these two countries, the UN chief said, adding that he had no idea about what form the discussion will take.

Annan also echoed the words of former U.S. Secretary of States James Baker, head of the Iraq Study Group, who urged the Bush administration to consider direct talks with Iran and Syria.

Annan said that the situation in Iraq, which has become worse in the past three years, was one of his biggest regrets.

"I never supported the war. My position has been clear," said Annan, who prepares to step down at the end of this month after 10 years as head of the UN.

"Initially, I didn't say there was a civil war because that wasn't the case. But as things have gone along, that has clearly become the case," he said.

Bush is expected to give a speech on the change of U.S. strategy in Iraq next month.

Source: Xinhua