2.11.06

Gbagbo accepts new UN peace plan for I Coast, appeals for calm

Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo said on Thursday he accepted a new United Nations plan giving sweeping powers to an unelected prime minister to try and achieve lasting peace and appealed for calm in the divided west African country.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a new peace plan giving Ivorian Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny sweeping powers to lead a one-year transition to long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections.

Following disagreements within the Security Council, the UN resolution had to be watered down from an original version which specifically stated that Banny would have powers to appoint military and civilian officials, a clause which, it was felt, directly violated the consitution.

"I welcome and thank all the member states of the Security Council ... who rejected any possibility to subordinate the constitution of a country to a decision of an international organisation," Gbagbo said in a 10-minute address to the nation that was broadcast on state television.

"Our constitution will therefore remain in force," he added.

The firebrand leader asked "each and every one to remain calm and ... abstain from any demonstration ... so that nothing disturbs" the implementation of the peace process.

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