Tunisians train for Ivory Coast security

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TUNIS, Tunisia, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross said it helped train Tunisian police for peacekeeping duties planned for Ivory Coast.

The ICRC said it worked with Tunisian officers scheduled for deployment to Ivory Coast. They are to serve as advisers to the U.N. Operation in Ivory Coast, known by its French initials UNOCI.

The ICRC said the training seminar was a first for pre-deployment training. Tunisia, the first country to experience major political upheaval in the region last year, is a regular contributor to peacekeeping activities.

Ivory Coast is working to overcome a legacy of civil conflicts. An unsettled 2010 presidential election meant to unite a country divided by earlier conflict pushed the Ivory Coast to the brink of civil war.

Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo is on trial at the International Criminal Court for crimes committed during last year's conflict, though forces loyal to President Alassane Outtara are suspected of committing abuses of their own.

Human Rights Watch, in a report published Monday, said military forces were responsible for human rights abuses during a military crackdown last summer.

The ICRC said training focused on respect for human rights law by police forces.