YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The United Nations called for compliance with an arms embargo against the Ivory Coast after learning attack helicopters were shipped to the embattled country.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said reports indicated Belarus provided attack helicopters to forces loyal to former president Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to concede to opposition leader Alassane Ouattara, the internationally accepted winner of November's elections.
"The secretary-general has learned with deep concern that three attack helicopters and related materiel from Belarus are reportedly being delivered at Yamoussoukro for Mr. Gbagbo's forces," Ban's office said in a release, noting that the matter was taken to the appropriate Security Council committee.
Ban has demanded full compliance with the arms embargo and warned all parties involved that "appropriate action will be taken in response to the violation."
He called the delivery a "serious violation" of the embargo against Ivory Coast, in place since 2004.
