(CNN) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the "political stalemate" in the Ivory Coast could lead to fighting, and he repeated his call for the incumbent to leave office after losing the presidential runoff election last month.
"The situation is taking a worrying turn with unfolding events that could lead to widespread violence," Ban said in a statement Wednesday.
The developments include the recent threats by some commanders of the national security forces to resort to military options and clashes on Monday between security forces and ex-rebels supporting the internationally recognized winner of the election.
Ban reiterated his call on all parties "to exercise patience and refrain from any actions that could, accidentally or deliberately, provoke violence". He said in the "currently charged political environment such actions could have unpredictable consequences, including reigniting civil war". CNN
