Ban steps up efforts to resolve Ivorian crisis

New York, 18 Jan – (ANA) – UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has held further talks with African regional and continental leaders as part of efforts to resolve the political stalemate in ivory coast.

 Among those with whom he conferred was Jean Ping, the Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission, spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

 The UN, the AU and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been trying to persuade Laurent Gbagbo to leave the presidential palace after opposition leader Alassane Ouattara’s UN-certified and internationally-recognized victory in November’s run-off election.

 Not only has Mr. Gbagbo refused to step down but he has also demanded the withdrawal of the nearly 9,000-strong UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), which has been supporting the stabilization and reunification efforts over the past seven years – a demand the UN has categorically rejected. (ANA)

FA/ANA/18 January 2011-------