'Security situation gradually returning to normal in western Cote d'Ivoire'

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (PANA) - The spokesman of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI), Sylvie van den Wildenberg, declared on Thursday that the security situation in western Côte d'Ivoire is gradually returning to normal.

Speaking in a weekly news briefing of the UN mission, Mrs. van den Wildenberg said no major incident was reported last week.

She said the ONUCI force had been increasing its numbers as well as their land and air patrols with a view to strengthening the civilian protection set up.

"All these actions have made it possible to strengthen the positions in the north of Taï, especially between Grabo and Saho," a spokesman said, adding that combined patrols of ONUCI, Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire and Gendarmerie had also been intensified along the border between Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia.

According to the spokesman, police units, which came in as reinforcements in the Taï zone, have been assisting local authorities in the protection of displaced people.

"ONUCI civilian teams keep enhancing their presence and working towards the improvement of the early warning systems with local communities and authorities, as well as through proximity sensitization acctivities in the region," she said.
-0- PANA BAL/TBM/IBA/PAP/MA 28June2012