Abidjan (Fides Service) - "There is still no reaction here in Ivory Coast to the peace agreement reached in France last night" a local source tells Fides Service. "This achievement is certainly a gift from the Lord, and it is a most positive factor. However much remains to be done to ensure the concrete application of the agreement and people must understand that to reach peace sacrifices are necessary. It is better to renounce personal claims for the good of all, the poor in particular who suffer greatly because of the war. The international community must commit itself to helping Ivorians apply the agreement. Particularly neighbouring countries, and the United Nations will have to send observers to monitor the peace agreement."
The agreement reached in Paris foresees that Lawrence Gbagbo will remain in power as president until the end of his mandate and the formation of a government of national unity open to all parties charged with preparing elections which, the agreements states must be "transparent and credible"; the date of the vote is still to be set. However in the field as yet no stable cease-fire has been reached, particularly in the west where fighting between rebels groups and the army continues. "In this area the situation is very tens, the local source tells us. There are reports that Liberian troops, rebels or troops, have come over the border. The fighting is so intense that the army is using helicopters to push back the invading troops. LM (Fides Service 25/1/2003)