UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Successful presidential elections in the Ivory Coast are a sign the country is headed toward peace, the U.N. secretary-general declared Monday.
Voters in the Ivory Coast took part in presidential elections Sunday in a vote that was scheduled originally as far back as 2005.
Civil war in 2002 divided the country into rebel-held north and pro-government south. U.N. officials last week said they were concerned that militants would try to get in the way of the democratic vote.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the successful vote, however, was a sign Ivorians had turned the page.
"This election is an important milestone in the efforts to restore lasting peace in the country," the secretary-general said through his spokesman's office.
The U.N. Security Council ordered reinforcements to the Ivory Coast ahead of the vote to help support an 8,600-member strong peacekeeping force.
Ban said it was vital for all interested parties to maintain a sense of civility as they await the certification of the results. He added that the United Nations remained committed to peace in the Ivory Coast and would maintain a robust security presence during the tallying process.
Election results are expected by Nov. 10. A second round is scheduled for Nov. 28 if no clear winner emerges.
UPI
