The United Nations Security Council has endorsed opposition Ivory Coast presidential candidate Alassane Ouattara as the winner of the disputed run-off national elections. President Laurent Gbagbo is slated to leave office, although not without a fight.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
By Reuters
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to impose sanctions on Ivory Coast, putting pressure on incumbent Laurent Gbagbo to relinquish power after a disputed presidential election.
The EU move will target Gbagbo and his supporters with asset freezes and a visa ban, after he claimed victory in the November 28 vote over challenger Alassane Ouattara, despite Ouattara being declared the winner by the Ivory Coast election commission.
The United States has also threatened to take measures against Gbagbo, with President Barack Obama writing to say he would support efforts to isolate him if he refused to quit.
"We call for an immediate and peaceful handover of power," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters after a meeting of EU foreign ministers. "We decided to adopt, without delay, restrictive measures against those who are obstructing peace and reconciliation."
She said officials from the 27-member bloc would draw up a list of leaders to be targeted by the restrictions but declined to say who would be included when the steps are imposed.
"I hope today's decision will persuade the incumbent government to respond before we reach that stage," she said.
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