Statement / by the President of the Security Council

Statement [made on behalf of the Security Council, at the 5350th meeting, 19 Jan. 2006, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "The situation in Côte d'Ivoire"]

Strongly condemns the recent violent attacks against the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire and international NGO facilities in Côte d'Ivoire by street militias and other groups associated with the 'Young Patriots', as well as their instigators; calls upon all Ivorians to refrain from any hostile action, and demands the immediate end of this violence and of all hatred messages in the media, in particular the attacks against the UN; welcomes the urgent mission led by President Obasanjo in Abidjan; underlines also that the occupation of the RTI facilities constitutes an attack against freedom and neutrality of information as well as a breach of the principles of the process of national reconciliation, of previous resolutions of the Security Council and of the peace agreements; reiterates its full support for the Prime Minister, Mr. Charles Konan Banny.

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