PRESS STATEMENT ON CÔTE D’IVOIRE BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON CÔTE D’IVOIRE BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following press statement on Côte d’Ivoire was delivered today by Security Council President Sergey Lavrov (Russian Federation):

Members of the Security Council were briefed by Assistant Secretary-General Hédi Annabi on the latest developments in Côte d’Ivoire and on progress made towards establishing the United Nations Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (MINUCI).

Members of the Council welcomed recent progress in the implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement.  They expressed satisfaction at the presentation to the National Assembly, by the Prime Minister, of a draft programme for implementing the Agreement.  They also welcomed the start of discussions between the National Army of Côte d’Ivoire (FANCI) and Forces nouvelles on arrangements for disarmament.  They called on the parties to continue to take the Linas-Marcoussis process forward, in particular, by appointing ministers for defence, interior and women’s affairs.  They reaffirmed their full support for the Monitoring Committee and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.

Members of the Security Council were briefed on the visit made by the Monitoring Committee to the West of Côte d’Ivoire on 26 May.  They also received an update by France on the activities of its troops.  They welcomed the successful implementation, in particular in the West, of the complete ceasefire reached on 3 May.  They renewed their appreciation for the support provided by French and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) forces in this operation, in accordance with Security Councilresolutions 1464 and 1479.  They urged Member States to provide additional logistical and financial support to ECOWAS.

Members of the Council stressed again their concern at the humanitarian situation in Côte d’Ivoire.  They expressed particular concern at the situation of Liberian refugees who had recently crossed the border into Côte d’Ivoire.  They called on Member States to respond to the appeal launched by United Nations agencies.  They called upon the parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.

Members of the Council looked forward to the opportunity to emphasize these points directly to the Ivorian parties during their mission to West Africa at the end of June/beginning of July.

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