Ivory Coast: Ivorian PM confident on election, disarmament

Newly elected Ivorian Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny on Sunday said he was confident that the task of organising new elections as well as disarming fighters in the divided west African state would be met. Banny, who is continuing consultations both within and outside the Ivory Coast met South African President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday for talks on his recent appointment as well as challenges within his troubled country. "If I did not think I could help to solve that important question I would not have embarked on this mission," Banny said in response to a question on whether he thought elections by October next year and the disarmament of rebels and militia were possible.