Visiting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Friday that he welcomed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's pledge to fully cooperate with a UN probe into the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

At a joint news conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Farouq Kasrawi, Annan said he was encouraged by Assad's speech on Thursday during which he stated that he would cooperate with the UN investigation.

"I think that it's essential and is good for Syria to cooperate. It is good for the region and the international system so I am happy that he did indicate he would cooperate," said the UN chief.

He also spoke of issues of Iraq and Palestine.

On Iraq, Annan said the world body was willing to promote the country's political process by supporting its democratic election, adding that the UN would cooperate with Iraq on its reconstruction, especially the building of infrastructures.

He hopes that Iraq will realize stability and security as soon as possible, so that more UN workers could be sent to the country.

Annan welcomed the Arab League's proposal on convening an Iraqi national reconciliation conference, saying the UN supports the idea of the Egyptian capital of Cairo hosting the meeting.

As for the situation in Palestine, Annan stressed that the UN would make efforts to restart the peace process between Palestine and Israel, and to provide economic aid for the Palestinian National Authority through representative agencies.

He believes that Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip has put the Middle East peace process on the right track.

Kasrawi, for his part, said he had discussed with Annan the issue of all-round cooperation from the international community in coping with terrorism, as Jordan currently faces a grave threat from terrorists.

Annan arrived in the Jordanian capital Amman on Friday after triple suicide bomb attacks killed at least 56 people on Wednesday.

He had been originally scheduled to visit Jordan on Thursday but postponed the tour after the deadly bombings, which were claimed by the al-Qaida terror group in Iraq.

Source: Xinhua