Iraqi vote went well, Kofi Annan tells Bush

Annan told Bush that violence in Iraq was low, voter turnout was high and that Iraqi people had cleared another hurdle.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told President George W Bush he was pleased with the vote in Iraq as they discussed ways in which the international community could provide help in Iraq, the White House said.

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Annan told Bush on Friday that violence in Iraq was low, voter turnout was high and that the Iraqi people had cleared another hurdle "on the road to democracy," said Federick Jones, spokesman for the National Security Council.

Jones, who spoke to reporters late on Friday, provided no further details on how the international community might become more involved in Iraq. Critics of the war have complained that there is too little international involvement in the rebuilding effort.

Annan and Bush also discussed the status of the investigation into the murder of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, as well as ways to help end ongoing violence in the Sudan's war torn Darfur region.

Jones said Annan placed the call to Bush, who was at the White House. He provided no further information on the substance of the discussions.