U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday expressed concern over Ivory Coast's current political and security situation. “I am deeply concerned by the deteriorating political and security situation-especially the growing number of violent incidents targeting civilians and the United Nations mission,” Ban said at his monthly press conference. Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call for Laurent Gbagbo to cede power to Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of the presidential election. “As I have said before, I say again: the facts on the ground are indisputable. Cote d'Ivoire has a legitimately elected president, Alassane Ouattara. The previous incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, must stand aside,” the U.N. chief said.
