United Nations, Dec 10, SPA -- The United Nations hascalled on communities in Iraq to reach out to each other,warning that increasing sectarian violence, continued lack ofsecurity and ongoing human rights violations posed "key"challenges as the country prepares for next week's elections. In a report to the Security Council, UN Secretary GeneralKofi Annan expressed satisfaction over "considerableachievement" despite the difficult conditions of keeping thepolitical process on target against an "ambitious" timetable. However, Annan noted that Iraq remains beset withformidable security, political and economic challenges. "The forthcoming election and formation of a newpermanent government will not mark the end of the country'spolitical transition, but rather the beginning of a new phasein which responsible politics and leadership will make thedifference between success and failure," he was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India. The main thrust of the report concerns the need fornational reconciliation between the majority Shiite Arabs andthe Sunni Arabs and Kurds.--MORE1406 Local Time 1106 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/309465