UN Secretary General Kofi Annan denounces the US's Iraqi war issue again on the annual debate of world leaders at the 59th UN General Assembly in New York.

Annan addressed at the opening of the debate by strong condemnation over violations of the rule of international law.

He stressed that those who seek to bestow legitimacy must themselves embody it, and those who invoke international law must themselves submit to it.

Annan hopes the international community can obey the laws in resolving the conflicts in Iraq, Middle East, Sudan's Darfur and in dealing with issues of terrorism and mass-destruction weapons.

Annan also says both the recent hostage crisis and US soldiers' prisoner abuse are actions violating human rights.

US President George W. Bush addressed the UN General Assembly less than one hour after Annan, saying the Iraqi War has made the world safer.

He also said the international community can't ignore violence and repression and the United States will not stop its efforts to crack down terrorism.

Over 100 world leaders have attended this year's debate.

(CRI September 22, 2004)