17 February 2011 -- "The Secretary-General attaches great importance to the forthcoming mission to Côte d'Ivoire by the five-member High Level Panel established by the African Union's Peace and Security Council to facilitate a peaceful solution to the post-elections crisis in Côte d'Ivoire," according to a statement attributable to his spokesperson.

The Secretary-General urges all Ivorian parties to extend their full cooperation to the High Level Panel and to create a political and security environment conducive to the success of the Panel's efforts.

The Secretary-General is concerned about the continuing violence and the planned demonstrations which could increase tensions and undermine the prospects for an early and peaceful end to the crisis. He calls for an immediate end to the acts of violence against the civilian population and for restraint in the planned demonstrations. He also calls for an end to the obstruction of the operations of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), and the removal of the siege on the Golf Hotel.

He urges all Ivorians to exercise patience and restraint and to give the ongoing efforts a chance to find a solution that is peaceful and respects their will, as expressed through the run-off presidential election of 28 November 2010.

New York, 17 February 2011