Ivory Coast's disarmament beginsRebels and government forces in Ivory Coast have begun the process of disarmament more than five years after the country descended into violence.
Ceremonies were held in towns on either side of the ceasefire line which divides the rebel-run north from the government-controlled south.
Former enemies President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-rebel leader Guillaume Soro forged a partnership in March. Mr Soro was then appointed prime minister in a power-sharing government.
Mr Gbagbo and Mr Soro started the day in the government-held town of Tiebissou just south of the ceasefire line, where they watched a loyalist militia group symbolically assemble and then move away from the frontier towards the capital, Yamassoukro. Also present was the UN's special representative in Ivory Coast, Choi Young-jin.
"Starting today, you will quit the front lines. There is no more front line in Ivory Coast," President Gbagbo told the troops.
A similar ceremony was held later in Djebonoua, in the north, from where rebel troops - or New Forces as they are known - were bussed to barracks in the town of Bouake. More>>>
Ceremonies were held in towns on either side of the ceasefire line which divides the rebel-run north from the government-controlled south.
Former enemies President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-rebel leader Guillaume Soro forged a partnership in March. Mr Soro was then appointed prime minister in a power-sharing government.
Mr Gbagbo and Mr Soro started the day in the government-held town of Tiebissou just south of the ceasefire line, where they watched a loyalist militia group symbolically assemble and then move away from the frontier towards the capital, Yamassoukro. Also present was the UN's special representative in Ivory Coast, Choi Young-jin.
"Starting today, you will quit the front lines. There is no more front line in Ivory Coast," President Gbagbo told the troops.
A similar ceremony was held later in Djebonoua, in the north, from where rebel troops - or New Forces as they are known - were bussed to barracks in the town of Bouake. More>>>