Côte d'Ivoire: UN envoy pledges full support for disarmament drive

Addressing the people of Côte d'Ivoire, the top United Nations envoy to the country today reiterated the world body's full support for the country's disarmament campaign.

In a public statement released in Abidjan, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Albert Tevoedjre, said the UN would assist the Government of National Reconciliation as well as the National Disarmament Commission based on the mandate determined by the Security Council.

He emphasized that all parties to the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement had endorsed the aim of disarmament and underscored the responsibility of the Government of National Reconciliation in reaching this goal.

The envoy also stressed that the UN could in no way substitute for the country's authorities or for parties to that Agreement.

The Linas-Marcoussis Agreement of January 2003 halted fierce fighting between the Government of President Laurent Gbagbo and armed opposition forces. The UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) was subsequently deployed to support the country's peace process.