Security Council members demand respect for ceasefire in Côte d'Ivoire

Reacting to the outbreak of violence in Côte d'Ivoire, members of the Security Council today demanded that the country's ceasefire be fully respected.

In a statement to the press following a closed-door briefing by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Council President for November, Ambassador John Danforth of the United States, also stressed that the "rights and security of United Nations personnel and all foreigners in Côte d'Ivoire [must] be fully respected."

He told reporters that the Council is reviewing these "worrying recent developments" and the overall situation in Côte d'Ivoire with a view to taking action in response.

The Council's session followed attacks by the Government of Côte d'Ivoire on rebel-held areas in the north. Insecurity across the country forced the UN to suspend its humanitarian relief operations.

In New York, the Secretary-General's spokesman issued a statement urging President Laurent Gbagbo and all the Ivorian parties to immediately cease all hostilities and to take all possible actions to prevent further bloodshed.

Côte d'Ivoire was plunged into crisis some two years ago when rebel forces took control of the northern part of the country. The Government maintained its authority in the south and French forces known as Licorne and peacekeepers serving with the United Nations mission (ONUCI) are currently stationed in between.

The 6,240-strong UN operation, deployed in April, is mandated to monitor the ceasefire, help demobilize soldiers and reintegrate them into society, promote human rights, support the peace process and facilitate the flow of relief aid.