UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The UN Security Council said it was concerned about a lack of political reforms in the Ivory Coast, with the government and opposition still at odds over the peace process.
The West African nation, once a model of stability in the region, is facing an end-of-September deadline to adopt the reforms under an accord agreed in July.
"The members of the council expressed concern over the lack of progress in key sectors of the national reconciliation process," they said in a statement after a meeting on the situation.
"This lack of progress is not only holding back the peace process in Ivory Coast but is also detrimental to further progress in the sub-region as a whole," they said.
Rogue military officers failed in September 2002 to oust President Laurent Gbagbo, launching a civil war that has left the country, producer of 40 percent of the world's cocoa, divided between north and south.
Under the July deal, 11 laws were to be passed by parliament before the end of September ahead of an October 15 date to start disarming Ivory Coast's paramilitary and militia forces.
The laws address key catalysts of the conflict in the country of 17 million persons, one-quarter of whom are migrants from around the region lured by Ivory Coast's once-proud economy and political stability.
The Security Council heard a briefing on Monday from Albert Tevoedjre, the UN's special envoy to the country, to follow up on a new report about the situation presented by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
The report said the delays "should come as no surprise (given) the legislative procedures and power play in these matters."
Ivory Coast's rebels said last week they would not disarm until lawmakers passed the reforms, which cover land ownership, national identity and eligibility of presidential candidates.
Ivory Coast Foreign Minister Mamadou Bamba sought to ally the fears of UN officials.
"We are all resolved -- all Ivoirians without exception -- to suppress definitively the rivalries that do nothing but fuel hatred and rancor, and unite our efforts in the service of peace for dialogue," Bamba told the UN General Assembly.
The Ivorian government sees the Security Council statement as "an encouragement to find a fast exit to the crisis," Bamba added.
"We are counting on constant support from the international community for our efforts to consolidate an intra-Ivorian dialogue," Bamba said.
He also called on help from international financial institutions and developed countries to set in place a national reconstruction program, and a program for demobilizing and disarming fighters, and integrating them once again into society.
Bamba also said he hoped for "coordinated fight" under the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against "persistent plagues such as the trafficking of children, of narcotics, of light weapons, mercenaries, the phenomenon of child soldiers and terrorism."
Deep divisions still separate Ivorian lawmakers backing Gbagbo and rebel opposition supporters over reforms contained in the Marcoussis peace accord signed in France in 2003, and due to be passed by September 30.
Two years of conflict have wearied Ivory Coast's population, brought government to a standstill and sent its economic fortunes plummeting.