.- The sanctions committee of the Council of the UN Security met today to discuss allegations that Belarus has sent three helicopters to the Ivory Coast in violation of arms embargo to Sudan. The sanctions committee members talked behind closed doors and satellite, with representatives of the United Nations mission in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) in Abidjan on the charges, which the Belarusian government has categorically denied.
"Everything is very confusing, it is unclear what happened," said diplomatic sources who participated in the meeting, convened following the statement released by the office of UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, that Minsk had provided war material to the Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo.
Gbagbo intended to remain in the Ivorian presidency despite the rejection of the international community has recognized as the elected leader Alassane Ouattara in Ivory Coast after the elections of February 28. According to the note Ban's spokesman, Martin Nesirky three attack helicopters and support material were delivered from Belarus in Yamoussoukro, political capital, Gbagbo's forces.
The first cargo with military equipment from Belarus arrived on a flight that landed on Sunday and is expected to reach new aircraft today, according to United Nations. In a subsequent press conference, Nesirky explained that the group of UN experts that monitors implementation of the arms embargo had been informed about the arrival of the helicopters.
In turn, UNOCI reported Sunday night flight landing in Yamoussoukro on the assumption Belarusian material information that the panel could not confirm. A team from the group of experts and officials later traveled to the airport mission, but were turned back and had to return without being able to confirm the arrival of the helicopter, the spokesman said.
The blue helmets of the UN are continually harassed by militias loyal to Gbagbo, who accused them of meddling in domestic affairs. On Sunday, three soldiers of the international mission were wounded and four vehicles were destroyed by supporters of Gbagbo's forces when their patrols roamed neighborhoods of Abidjan, according to UNOCI.
The attacks took place in recent days represent an escalation of violence which, according to the mission, "is fueled by the propaganda made by supporters of Gbagbo, based on falsehoods." Gbagbo has "ordered" twice the output of UNOCI in Côte d'Ivoire, but the UN has rejected his claims, and that does not recognize legitimacy.
Ivory Coast is on the brink of renewed civil war since the last presidential election, as Gbagbo did not accept the results and appealed to the Constitutional Council, composed of his followers, which overturned nearly a million votes in areas where a large majority had Ouattara and gave him the victory. 
"Everything is very confusing, it is unclear what happened," said diplomatic sources who participated in the meeting, convened following the statement released by the office of UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, that Minsk had provided war material to the Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo.
Gbagbo intended to remain in the Ivorian presidency despite the rejection of the international community has recognized as the elected leader Alassane Ouattara in Ivory Coast after the elections of February 28. According to the note Ban's spokesman, Martin Nesirky three attack helicopters and support material were delivered from Belarus in Yamoussoukro, political capital, Gbagbo's forces.
The first cargo with military equipment from Belarus arrived on a flight that landed on Sunday and is expected to reach new aircraft today, according to United Nations. In a subsequent press conference, Nesirky explained that the group of UN experts that monitors implementation of the arms embargo had been informed about the arrival of the helicopters.
In turn, UNOCI reported Sunday night flight landing in Yamoussoukro on the assumption Belarusian material information that the panel could not confirm. A team from the group of experts and officials later traveled to the airport mission, but were turned back and had to return without being able to confirm the arrival of the helicopter, the spokesman said.
The blue helmets of the UN are continually harassed by militias loyal to Gbagbo, who accused them of meddling in domestic affairs. On Sunday, three soldiers of the international mission were wounded and four vehicles were destroyed by supporters of Gbagbo's forces when their patrols roamed neighborhoods of Abidjan, according to UNOCI.
The attacks took place in recent days represent an escalation of violence which, according to the mission, "is fueled by the propaganda made by supporters of Gbagbo, based on falsehoods." Gbagbo has "ordered" twice the output of UNOCI in Côte d'Ivoire, but the UN has rejected his claims, and that does not recognize legitimacy.
Ivory Coast is on the brink of renewed civil war since the last presidential election, as Gbagbo did not accept the results and appealed to the Constitutional Council, composed of his followers, which overturned nearly a million votes in areas where a large majority had Ouattara and gave him the victory.
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