Gbagbo's forces strike back in Cote d'Ivoire
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The Republican Forces took dozens of cities in a matter of days and reached the gates of Gbagbo's compound in the commercial capital of Abidjan on Wednesday. With helicopters of UN and French forces joining in the strikes, Gbagbo agreed to negotiate about his exit.
"Gbagbo's continued attempt to force a result that he could not obtain at the ballot box reveals his callous disregard for the welfare of the Ivorian people, who will again suffer amid renewed heavy fighting in Abidjan," Toner said, urging Gbagbo to cease hostilities and order his supporters to stand down and surrender.
Meanwhile, China has called for further assistance from the United Nations to ensure safety for Chinese citizens in Cote d'Ivoire, where fighting is going on, Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, told Xinhua Saturday.
Li made the appeal at an emergency meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday held to exchange views on the current situation in Cote d'Ivoire.
During the meeting, the Chinese envoy told the UN chief that the Chinese leaders and the government attach great importance to the security of Chinese citizens in Cote d'Ivoire.
China is very much concerned about the security of foreigners in Cote d'Ivoire, including that of the Chinese citizens, whose security and safety are being gravely threatened in the West African country, where the situation has deteriorated and armed conflicts are going on, said Li, who spoke to Xinhua after his meeting with Ban.
"Given the current grave security and humanitarian situation on the ground, China asks the United Nations to take further steps to ensure the security of the Chinese citizens in Cote d'Ivoire," Li said.
"It is our hope that the conflict can come to an end at an early date, and the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire can be settled through political means," Li told Ban during the meeting.
Li also said he thanked Ban once again for the salvation rendered to the diplomats and other citizens of China time after time by the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire.
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