World Scene

UNITED NATIONS

Oil-for-food target resigns from $1 job

NEW YORK — Benon Sevan, the former administrator of the U.N. oil-for-food program for Iraq, “resigned” in anger yesterday — one day before an independent committee is expected to release the results of a probe into possible wrongdoing by the Cypriot national.

In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Mr. Sevan — who retired from the organization last year but has been kept on as a $1-a-year adviser to ensure his cooperation with the investigation — accused his friend of nearly 40 years of bowing to political pressure.

“As I predicted, a high-profile investigative body invested with absolute power would feel compelled to target someone, and that someone has turned out to be me,” Mr. Sevan wrote. “The charges are false, and you, who have known me all these years, should know that they are false.”

IRAN

Anti-U.S. cooperation sought from Syria

TEHRAN — Iran’s newly inaugurated president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called yesterday for closer cooperation with Syria in the face of pressure on both countries from the United States.

“The existence of common threats requires more cooperation between Tehran and Damascus,” the official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Mr. Ahmadinejad as saying at a press conference with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Mr. Assad arrived earlier in the day, becoming the first foreign leader to visit Iran’s new president, who took the oath of office on Saturday.

VENEZUELA

Chavez allies expect boost in local elections

CARACAS — Venezuelans voted for municipal and neighborhood councils yesterday, with allies of President Hugo Chavez expected to benefit from his popularity and solidify their control over local authorities.

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