Senior UN official deplores deadly Ivorian clashes

The top United Nations official in Cote d''Ivoire today deplored the deadly clashes in the west of the country that have reportedly killed at least six people this weekend.

Bert Koenders, the Secretary-General''s Special Representative and the head of the UN peacekeeping operation (UNOCI) in the West African country, voiced concern in a statement in what he described as "these regrettable events."

Media reports indicate at least six people have died in Vavoua as a result of clashes between Government forces and armed forces.

The mission said it has dispatched civilian, police and military staff to the Vavoua area to examine the situation and try to help restore calm.

"UNOCI launches an appeal to the competent authorities to have appropriate investigations carried out to determine the circumstances surrounding the incidents, identify those responsible and take adequate measures in keeping with the law," the mission said in a press release.

UNOCI urged both the military and the general population to be calm and to avoid taking actions that would further deteriorate the situation in Vavoua and elsewhere.

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