China supports UNOCI's role in Cote d'Ivoire
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China supports the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in playing an active role in solving the Cote d'Ivoire issue, a foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular press briefing, when asked to confirm if China planed to send peacekeeping forces to Cote d'Ivoire at the request of the United Nations.
Hong did not confirm the news. He said currently there are six Chinese military observers at the UNOCI.
"Under current circumstances, we support the UNOCI in continuing to play an active role in peacefully solving the Cote d'Ivoire issue," Hong said.
Cote d'Ivoire has been in a political impasse since the landmark presidential run-off held on Nov. 28, 2010. Both Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara claimed victory, swore themselves in as president of the country and formed their respective government.
The Independent Electoral Commission on Dec. 2 released provisional results showing that Ouattara won the election in the second round with 54 percent of the votes.
The country's Constitutional Council, however, immediately declared that the results were invalid and announced Gbagbo as the winner.
The United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have all thrown their support behind Ouattara.
ECOWAS has earlier urged Gbagbo to step down and vowed the use of legitimate force if he fails to heed its immutable demand.
The 9,000-strong UNOCI is currently providing protection of the Golf Hotel, Ouattara's headquarters in the economic capital Abidjan, which is controlled by Gbagbo.
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