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Ivory Coast President Toughens Stance

28 December 2010 23:27 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The incumbent president of Ivory Coast said Tuesday that his government would cut diplomatic ties with countries that follow a call issued by his opponent for the removal of the country’s ambassadors, APA reports quoting The Wall Street Journal.

The announcement, read on national television by a member of incumbent Laurent Gbagbo’s government, came the same day three West African leaders arrived in Ivory Coast in an attempt to break a monthlong political stalemate between Mr. Gbagbo and his rival, Alassane Ouattara.

Mr. Ouattara, who has been recognized by international observers and African blocs as the winner of a Nov. 28 runoff vote, issued a call on Sunday for the removal of 25 ambassadors from Ivory Coast appointed by Mr. Gbagbo.

The presidents of Sierra Leone, Benin and Cape Verde arrived Tuesday in Ivory Coast to meet with Mr. Gbagbo and Mr. Ouattara. There was no immediate indication if the meetings resulted in any tangible breakthrough.

Separately on Tuesday, a crowd attacked a convoy of 22 United Nations peacekeepers in Ivory Coast, injuring one U.N. soldier with a machete and setting one of the vehicles on fire, the U.N. said.

The U.N. mission in Ivory Coast said it "vigorously condemns this attack and reiterates its determination to pursue its work in the service of the Ivorian people."

The U.N. envoy in Ivory Coast also met with the three visiting presidents on Tuesday. The U.N. certified election results and backs Mr. Ouattara.