Nord-Sud: The UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) says it welcomes the resumption of talks between the government and some opposition parties grouped under the Permanent Framework for dialogue. UNOCI Spokesperson Sylvie Van Den Wildenberg told reporters at the mission's weekly press conference on Thursday that UNOCI encourages the participation of opposition parties in this initiative and hopes the talks will be constructive and move forward the national reconciliation process.



Soir Info: Separate talks between the government and the FPI party have been postponed indefinitely after the FPI gave preconditions including the release of its youth leader Koua Justin, the application of constitutional provisions on freedom of expression and assembly and the unfreezing of the assets of certain FPI militants. Notre Voie caries a warning by the FPI Secretary-General Richard Kodjo that "if we are not allowed to air our views... others who employ the same arms as they will come and speak in their own manner." Mr. Kodjo told Le Nouveau Reveil that negotiations have not come to an end. "In order to continue with serenity, we demand that the government show proof of good faith and not arrest a youth leader in his party HQ, " he said.



Le Patriote: The Minister of State for Interior, Hamed Bakayoko says the time for coup d'etat is over and all those who are thinking of destabilising Cote d'Ivoire should stop dreaming. He told the national television broadcaster RTI that "we shall be uncompromising when dealing with agents of destabilisation, no matter their rank." The Minister authorised RTI to broadcast video footage of Commander Jean Noel Abehi reading a declaration calling for the seizure of power by the use of arms sometime before his arrest in Accra.



L'Inter, L'Expression: Fourteen sub officers including one lieutenant who appeared before the Abidjan Military Tribunal yesterday for violating regulations concerning the keeping of arms at the Agban military camp were sentenced to 4 months in prison but were promptly released in view of the fact that they had been in detention for the past 22 months.



Africatime.com: The recent attack at a UN base in northern Somalia has prompted the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) to step up security measures and control at the main entrance of its HQ. UNOCI has always had strict security controls but these have been intensified recently as " staff vehicles are checked, visitors examined with metal detectors, and watch tower guards are armed to the hilt."