Yamoussoukro, 21 May 2011.... The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, participated in the inauguration ceremony of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara on Saturday 21 May 2011 in Yamoussoukro, 240 km north of Abidjan.

Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, who arrived Saturday morning in the Ivorian political capital at the head of a strong delegation, had a fifteen-minute meeting with the Ivorian president.

Earlier, during his inauguration at the Félix Houphouet Boigny Foundation, President Ouattara had expressed his « gratitude towards the entire world » which, he said, had demonstrated solidarity for democracy to triumph. In that regard, he welcomed in particular the commitment of the United Nations. « It gave itself the practical means to re-establish democracy and contribute to the establishment of lasting peace, » he stressed.

Speaking before many heads of state, civilian and military personalities, and members of the population who attended the ceremony in large numbers, Mr. Ouattara reiterated his commitment to promoting reconciliation, dialogue, forgiveness and peace.

Mr Ban Ki-Moon was accompanied by the head of UN peacekeeping operations, Alain Leroy, and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y. J. Choi. He concludes his 48-hour mission to Côte d'Ivoire with consultations with the staff of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).