Colombian President-elect Alvaro Uribe has met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York to discuss ending Colombia's 38-year civil war.
President-elect Uribe refused to provide details of his meeting Monday with the secretary-general. He did tell reporters at a news conference it was essential that the conversations be conducted in a spirit of confidentiality.
Mr. Annan's spokesman also issued a statement saying he and Mr. Uribe had a useful exchange on the situation in Colombia and the president-elect's ideas for advancing peace in the country.
Since his election on May 26, President-elect Uribe has called for U.N. mediation to end the Colombian conflict, which pits leftist rebels against the government and right-wing paramilitaries.
Mr. Uribe also is expected in Washington this week for meetings with senior U.S. officials.