Speaking during a conference at the UN's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome on Wednesday, Annan admitted that the threat of military action was weighing heavily on the United Nations.

"I continue to think that war is not inevitable, that it is always a catastrophe for humanity and that we must do everything possible for peace and consider all the avenues not yet explored," Annan said.

"War is to be taken into consideration only if the alternatives are worse," he said.

In a reference to the work of IFAD, which celebrated its 25th anniversary Wednesday, Annan said the UN should not allow the Iraq crisis to distract it from normal business.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2003)