Ahern and Annan in Dublin talks

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan discussed a wide range of international issues during a two-hour meeting today.

Among their discussions at the Farmleigh estate in Dublin were the latest developments in the Darfur area of Sudan and the war in Iraq.

Mr Ahern also briefed Mr Annan on the latest attempts to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary General will be in Northern Ireland on Monday where he will speak at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus in Londonderry.

Meanwhile, Irish relief agency Concern has warned that the crisis in Darfur causing problems for relief staff.

Concern’s Overseas Director Paul O’Brien said he had accounted for all of the agency’s staff in El Genina following an outbreak of violence.

Mr O’Brien said while there appeared to be no immediate danger to aid workers, Concern would continue to monitor the situation.