In a bid to promote stability in Lebanon, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged the leaders of Iran and Syria to advocate dialogue as a means to resolve differences in the country.

“The Secretary-General spoke with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and President Basher Al-Assad of Syria about developments in Lebanon and the need for countries in the region in particular and the international community as a whole to promote the stability and the unity of Lebanon,” a UN spokesman said.

“He urged them to counsel the parties concerned to exercise patience and resolve their differences through dialogue,” the spokesman added in a statement issued in St. Gallen, Switzerland, where Mr. Annan is traveling on official business.