UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed his sympathy with the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the United States and extended condolences to those affected by the storm, US spokeswoman Marie Okabe said Wednesday.

"The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life and large-scale destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina along the United States Gulf Coast," Annan said in a statement issued by his spokeswoman.

"He extends his sincere condolences to all the victims and their families," it added.

Source: Xinhua