Ivory Coast to probe violence, gets aid

YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast, June 16 (UPI) -- The Ivorian government announced it was launching a national commission to investigate post-election violence following allegations of sweeping crimes.

The international community recognized Alassane Ouattara as the winner of a November election in Ivory Coast. Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down, however, and ensuing violence pushed the country to the brink of civil war.

Bruno Kone, a spokesman for the Ivorian government, was quoted by CNN as saying Ouattara was calling for an investigation into post-election violence.

"The president called for all investigations to be carried out without delay so that those responsible could be identified and be applied sanctions if needed," the statement read.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, in separate reports, said both parties to the conflict had likely violated human rights laws.

Ouattara's announcement comes as Washington announced it was pledging $7.5 million in humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons in Ivory Cost and Ivorian refugees in Liberia.

"The situation in Ivory Coast is improving," the U.S. State Department said in a statement, "but some continuing unrest is still generating new refugees, and fear among those who fled keeps a majority of refugees from returning home at present."

More than 1,000 people were killed during the post-election violence in Ivory Coast.