Annan sees sufficient time to convince Iraqis to participate in elections

The UN secretary General Kofi Annan considered that there is plenty of time before the Iraqi government to encourage the Sunni Muslims and other Iraqis who are hesitant to take part in the elections.

Annan told journalists that the Iraqi prime minister Eyad Allawi confirmed to him that his interim government is still making efforts to have the groups -- which threaten not to take part in the elections -- participate.

Annan also admitted that the elections, which are the first since the invasion which was led by the US and toppled the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003, will not beheld in best atmospheres.