UN keeps Ivory Coast peacekeeper reinforcements

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council voted unanimously Friday to keep the 10,000 strong UN peacekeeping force in Ivory Coast while the new government regains control of the West African country.

After the victory of internationally recognized president Alassane Ouattara in a deadly power struggle with Laurent Gbagbo, the Security Council extended the peacekeeping force's mandate until July 31.

In that time, a UN mission will draw up recommendations on Ivory Coast's longer term security needs.