UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Friday expressed "deep sadness" over the loss of life in Iran's earthquakes, which killed at least 70 people and injured more than 1,200, a spokeswoman said according to dpa. "He extends his deepest condolences to the families of those who have been killed or injured in the earthquake," said Marie Okabe. The UN plans to send an assessment team to the affected areas and mobilize international assistance for those in need, she said. Iran's western Lorestan province was hit by three consecutive quakes early Friday morning, injuring more than 1,200 and affecting more than 320 villages, Iranian authorities said. ---SP 20 57 Local Time 17 57 GMT
