¡¡UNITED NATIONS, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed on Wednesday the peaceful political result achievedby the Bolivian government and other political forces, UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe said in a statement.

    "The Secretary-General has been following developments in Bolivia, where Congress last evening agreed that President Carlos Mesa should remain in office, and where an agreement was reached between the Government and other forces on crucial political, social and economic issues facing the country," the spokeswoman said.

    According to Okabe, the secretary is pleased to see this resultachieved through dialogue and respect for the constitution.

    Annan is encouraged that all forces and groups in Bolivia are seeking to overcome political differences peacefully, she added.

    She noted that the UN system stands ready to assist the government and people of Bolivia in addressing the important challenges that they face. Enditem