In a statement issued here by his spokesman on the incident in the western African country, which killed at least 14 civilians, Ban “expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the people and government of Cote d’Ivoire and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.”
The attacks occurred in Grand Bassam, a town in southeastern Cote d’Ivoire listed by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site.
Located some 65 km away from Abidjan, the largest city and economic capital of the country, the town is popular among tourists and foreign workers.
Two soldiers and six attackers were also killed in the incident, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire said.
It is yet to be determined who was behind the attacks. Some media outlets reported that Al-Qaeda’s north African branch has claimed responsibility. Enditem
Source:Xinhua
