TEHRAN, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Iranian President Mohammad Khatami had reportedly sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressing support for him.
The official Islamic Republic News Agency said Iran's permanent ambassador to the U.N., Javad Zarifm delivered the letter to Annan Thursday.
The agency said the letter expressed Khatami's "appreciation to Annan's wisdom and commitment to the objectives and principles of the U.N."
The Irania president told Annan "attempts taking place against you, which stem from political motives, cannot distort your humanitarian reputation or lead to disparaging our common goals."
Khatami's letter came as calls grew for Annan to resign as the head of the international organization amid reports his eldest son allegedly received bribes in oil-for-food contracts with Iraq before the U.S.-led war on the country.
The Iranian president said he was confident the U.N. chief would continue his mission and that he would "spare no effort to protect the principles and objectives on which the U.N. was established."
