Accra, May 27, GNA - The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) on Wednesday appealed to parties in the Ivorian crisis to demonstrate political will and commitment to the full and unconditional implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. A statement issued at the end of the 10th Session of the Peace and Security Council of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, expressed deep regret over the current impasse in the Ivory Coast, which has continued to paralyse the operations of the National Reconciliation Government of that country.

It asked all the parties in the conflict, including the Government to create the necessary conditions conducive to the return of all stakeholders to the Government of National Reconciliation. "In this regard, the composition as well as the integrity of the Government of National Reconciliation, including a consensus Prime Minister, should be maintained," said the statement released to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

The Council lauded efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to bring peace to the Ivory Coast and mandated the Sub-Regional body to take the necessary action to ensure full restoration of operations of State in that country. ECOWAS is expected to report progress of the situation in the Ivory Coast to the Assembly of the Union at its 3rd Ordinary Session in July 2004.

The Council endorsed the initiative of the United Nations High Commission For Human and People's Rights to set up a Commission to investigate the human rights violations perpetrated since the beginning of the crisis in the Ivory Coast, according to the statement. The Council also reiterated its request to the African Commission on Human and People's rights to investigate human rights violations in the Ivory Coast.

Meanwhile, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who closed the session, said the deployment of UN Forces in the Ivory Coast has reduced the threat of hostilities in the country. "ECOWAS greatly appreciates the AU's commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Cote d'Ivoire and wishes to take this opportunity to reassure Council Members that with the Union's support, as well as that of the UN, its efforts to bring peace, stability and progress to Cote d'Ivoire will not falter," he reassured.

On the establishment of the AU Security Council, Nana Akufo-Addo said Ghana was of the firm conviction that the Council would make an important contribution to the capacity of the AU to deal with problems of peace and security on the Continent.

"In this respect, Ghana associates herself wholeheartedly with the statement of Libya calling for the rapid inauguration of other important organs of the Union," Nana Akufo-Addo stated.