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Swedish diplomat appointed top UN envoy for Côte d'Ivoire

Swedish diplomat appointed top UN envoy for Côte d'Ivoire

Pierre Schori
A former Swedish ambassador has been nominated to be United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special representative for Côte d'Ivoire, leading peacekeeping efforts in the West African country, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said today.

In a letter to this month's Security Council President, Mr. Annan informed the 15 members of his intention to appoint Pierre Schori, formerly Sweden's permanent representative to the UN, and the Council was expected to reply by Wednesday, Mr. Eckhard said.

Mr. Schori would replace Albert Tévoédjrè, who stepped down at the end of January as special representative and head of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).

Meanwhile, UNOCI said it detained and disarmed 87 men today who had launched an early morning attack against a checkpoint of the rebel Forces Nouvelles in a western village called Logouale. During the operation to restore calm, a UNOCI peacekeeper and two civilians were injured.

UNOCI said it saw the attack as a setback to the peace process at a time when the international community, especially South Africa, and the parties in the country itself were working towards finding a political solution to the divided country's crisis.

It called on all parties to respect the ceasefire and the demilitarized zone.