UN chief calls for global cooperation against terror

MADRID, Thursday (Xinhua) UN Secretary General Kofi Annan here called for global cooperation in the fight against terror. "We live in one world and the issue of terrorism affects us all, " Annan told a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, noting the United Nations always backs multilateral efforts to prevent the creation of "breeding grounds for terrorism."

He also said his envoy will meet Syrian and Lebanese leaders on Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon, hoping the withdrawal will be completed on schedule.

Zapatero, meanwhile, said multilateralism, international cooperation and the respect of international law are effective ways to curb terrorism. He also pledged Spain's full cooperation with the United Nations in anti-terror efforts.

Annan arrived in this Spanish capital for an international conference on anti-terrorism organized by the Club of Madrid, an independent association of 56 democratically elected former heads of state and government.

Annan is scheduled to deliver a speech on global strategy of anti-terrorism at the closing ceremony. The three-day conference began on Tuesday and coincided with the first anniversary of the Madrid train bombings that killed 192 people on March 11.