UN peacekeeping chief heading to Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana

The United Nations chief of peacekeeping is heading to post-conflict Côte d'Ivoire for an official visit starting tomorrow, 10 days after UN forces began their deployment in the West African country.

During his trip, Jean-Marie Guéhenno is scheduled to meet separately with President Laurent Gbagbo, the Transitional Government's Prime Minister, Seydou Elimane Diarra, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security as well as the head of the National Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FANCI).

Mr. Guéhenno is also slated to make a one-day visit to neighbouring Ghana to meet President John Agyekum Kufuor, who is also the current chairman of the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS). Mr. Kufuor has been active in peace talks between the Côte d'Ivoire factions.

ECOWAS troops form the core of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).