Readout of the Secretary-General's meeting with Jean Ping, Chairman of the African Union Commission

The Secretary-General met today with Jean Ping, Chair of the Commission of the African Union. They discussed the situation in Cote d'Ivoire and, particularly, the recent visit to that country by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, on behalf of the African Union. The Secretary-General underlined the important role of the African Union in resolving the situation in the country. They also talked about the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting, in Abuja, Nigeria, today on Cote d'Ivoire. The Secretary-General reiterated the need to respect the will of the Ivorian people.