Powers should not isolate Iran, Annan says

MADRID, Sep 5 (Reuters) The international community should not isolate Iran, which has indicated it will cooperate in the reconstruction of Lebanon, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a Spanish newspaper.

''The international community should count on Iran, not isolate it,'' Annan said in an interview with El Pais in Qatar which was published today.

Annan spoke to El Pais after a weekend visit to Tehran as part of a West Asia tour to shore up the ceasefire that ended fighting between Israel and Iranian-backed Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas.

''The general perception is that Iran is acting on its own, giving money to Hizbollah. In my conversations in Tehran, I asked the Iranians to work with other countries in reconstruction. They accepted my request, which is a very helpful attitude,'' Annan said.

Iran's stand-off with Western powers over its nuclear programme can only be resolved via negotiation, he said.

''The main thing is we have to avoid confrontation. This is an issue which requires patience and perseverance. The viable solution is negotiation,'' he said.

The United States says Iran, which failed to meet a Security Council deadline to stop enriching uranium, is trying to develop nuclear weapons.

''The Iranians assured me that they are not seeking nuclear weapons and their intentions are peaceful. Nonetheless, they have to find a way of reassuring the world and guaranteeing that these really are their intentions,'' Annan said.

In the interview, he also called on Israel to make moves to secure peace in Lebanon.

''Israel should withdraw, without needing to wait for the deployment of the 15,000 (international troops) to be complete.

Also, mutual trust has to be created, by, for example, Israel lifting its blockade on Lebanon,'' Annan said.

REUTERS MS SSC1432