Annan welcomes Iraq vote probe

NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says he welcomes a follow-up investigation to the Iraqi parliamentary election results.

Annan said in a statement that he "strongly supports" efforts by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq to investigate and audit all complaints received before certifying the results of the Dec. 15 elections.

A team of international monitors plans to open a review of complaints of fraud and other alleged misdeeds.