Awwal 07, 1432 / April 11, 2011, SPA -- European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton welcomed on Monday the arrest of former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo, and pledged support for his successor Alassane Outtara. "I welcome this development, which marks a critical step in the resolution of a nearly five month post-electoral crisis," Ashton said in a statement. Gbagbo refused to recognize internationally-certified results of elections last year, which saw him lose the presidency to Outtara, holding on to power until military action supported by United Nations and French troops forced him out. "I deplore the high price the Ivorian people have had to pay to ensure the respect of their democratic will as expressed in the Presidential elections of November 2010," Ashton added. Ashton expressed "full support to President Ouattara" and indicated that the bloc would follow up on Friday's decision to lift sanctions on cocoa, the Ivory Coast's main export item, with "actions to help bring peace back to the country."
