Security Council

5711^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF UNITED NATIONS OPERATION IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE,

FRENCH FORCES UNTIL 16 JULY, AS IT ADOPTS CHAPTER VII RESOLUTION

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) until 16 July 2007, and reaffirmed its support for the peace and electoral processes in the divided West African country.

Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1763 (2007), by which it also decided to extend the mandate of the French forces supporting the mission.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire recommends that the mission maintain its current strength at least until the zone of confidence separating Government and rebel forces has been successfully replaced with a green line monitored by UNOCI observation posts.

He describes agreements signed by the parties in March as a “turning point” in the crisis that has kept Côte d’Ivoire divided since 2002 into the Government-controlled south and the Forces nouvelles-held north.  The report emphasizes, however, that many fundamental issues remain unresolved.

The meeting began at 1:05 p.m. and ended at 1:10 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1763 (2007) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President relating to the situation in Côte d’Ivoire,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Côte d’Ivoire, and recalling the importance of the principles of good-neighbourliness, non-interference and regional cooperation,

“Reaffirming its support to the impartial forces, namely the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) and the French forces which support it,

“Recalling its endorsement of the political Agreement signed on 4 March 2007 in Ouagadougou by President Laurent Gbagbo and Mr. Guillaume Soro under the facilitation of the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States, President Blaise Compaoré,

“Reaffirming its readiness to take further steps, in the light of the progress achieved, in order to help the parties in implementing their commitments and to support the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire, in particular the electoral process,

“Having taken note of the report of the Secretary-General dated 14 May 2007 (S/2007/275),

“Determining that the situation in Côte d’Ivoire continues to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides that the mandate of UNOCI and of the French forces which support it shall be extended until 16 July 2007;

“2.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record