China on Thursday called on Cote d'Ivoire to safeguard stability and promote national reconciliation.

"We hope the government and the people of Cote d'Ivoire, with the help of the international community, can quickly heal the wounds from the post-election crisis and safeguard peace and stability," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing.

Hong made the remarks when asked to comment on the transfer of Laurent Gbagbo, former president of Cote d'Ivoire, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday.

Gbagbo, the first former head of state to be tried by the ICC since the Hague-based tribunal was founded in 2002, allegedly bears individual criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator for four counts of crimes against humanity, namely murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution, and other inhumane acts, according to the ICC.

Hong also called for Cote d'Ivoire to promote national reconciliation and realize the country's revitalization.

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