The United Nations Security Council issued a strong condemnation Thursday of violence that erupted in Ivory Coast over the disputed results of last month's presidential election, dpa reported.
At least 10 people were killed and dozens injured during protests in Abidjan when soldiers loyal to incumbent Laurent Gbagbo clashed with supporters of his rival for the presidency. Gbagbo is clinging to power after losing the vote to opposition leader Alassane Ouattara.
US Ambassador Susan Rice said the Security Council "welcomed the efforts by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and countries in the region to assist in preserving peace and stability in Ivory Coast."
The council called for respect of the outcome of the elections, Rice said.
The UN mission in Ivory Coast, with close to 10,000 military and civilian personnel, has been trying to restore calm and security as violence erupted. The mission was deployed following the civil war in 2002, which resulted in dividing the country into a rebel-held north and government-held south.
The UN was hoping that the elections would close the differences between the two sides.
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