UN extends peacekeeping mandate for Ivory Coast

UNITED NATIONS, July 17 (Reuters) The UN Security Council voted to extend the mandate of a peacekeeping force in Ivory Coast until January to help create peaceful conditions for elections that have been repeatedly delayed.

Ivory Coast's fragile peace process was dented by an attack on Prime Minister Guillaume Soro last month that raised tensions as authorities prepare for elections early in 2008.

Soro, leader of the New Forces rebels, was made prime minister in April under a deal to reunite the West African country, split in two since the rebels seized its northern half during a brief 2002-03 civil war.

The Security Council resolution yesterday adopted by a 15-0 vote extended the mandate of UN forces and French forces until January 15 ''in order to support the organization in Cote d'Ivoire of free, open, fair and transparent elections.'' The former French colony's peace process was revived in March, when Soro and former rival President Laurent Gbagbo pledged to reunite the country and hold elections.

Arch-enemies since the war ended, Gbagbo and Soro became allies in the home-grown peace plan that replaced a litany of failed foreign-imposed deals.

While the deal raised the hopes of war-weary Ivorians, there is concern at the lack of progress in preparing elections in the Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer.

UN efforts to hold elections to seal a lasting peace and reunification have missed a string of deadlines since 2005.

Yesterday's resolution approved a change in the role of the peacekeeping force in line with the March peace agreement.

The United Nations will end the post of its High Representative for Elections in Ivory Coast, Gerard Stoudman.

The task of helping organize elections will now be carried out by a team attached to the Secretary General's Special Representative in Ivory Coast.

Gbagbo, who is expected to stand for re-election, has said he asked the United Nations to remove both Stoudman and the former special representative because he said they were behaving ''as if they had power to govern Ivory Coast.'' Reuters JK VP0425