Abidjan, 1 July 2010... The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) provided logistical support to the Ministry of Education by transporting and escorting for question papers for the Baccalaureat, Brevet and Elementary School Certificate examinations, the UNOCI's deputy spokesperson, Kenneth Blackman said on Thursday.

Speaking to journalists at the Mission's weekly press conference, Mr. Blackman said that starting on 28 June, UN peacekeepers had provided transport and security escort for exam questions to several parts of the country. The operation ends by the 19 July with the transportation of the corrected exam papers, he added.

Earlier, the deputy spokesperson reviewed the visit of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cote d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, to Ouagadougou yesterday to brief Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, Facilitator of the Ivorian peace process, on the latest developments in the crisis-resolution process.

Referring to Resolution1933 that was adopted yesterday by the UN Security Council, Mr. Blackman explained that it contained details related to UNOCI's mandate and various aspects of the crisis- resolution mechanism including the electoral process, identification, disarmament, reunification and the protection of civilians. The Council also extended UNOCI's mandate until 31 December 2010, so that it can assist the interested parties to better implement the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.

Mr. Blackman disclosed that the Security Council had maintained the strength of the Mission's Force at the same level of 7,392 military personnel.

Regarding the activities of the various components of UNOCI, Mr. Blackman noted that a training course on the maintenance of law and order conducted by UN Police and for some 60 trainers of the Ivorian Gendarmerie was held in Toroguhe in the Daloa region, as well various sensitization campaigns organized by UNOCI throughout the country.