African leaders ended a summit in Ivory Coast today with a call for immediate talks between the government and rebels to end a month-long war that has left hundreds dead and displaced tens of thousands.
They agreed at the one-day meeting on the need for the urgent deployment of a West African force to replace troops from former colonial power France, currently keeping the two sides apart under a ceasefire signed by rebels last week.
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Earlier the army accused the rebels of breaking the truce, although the French said they were unaware of any violation.
No date was set for the talks or the force's deployment at the summit, attended by South African President Thabo Mbeki and leaders from Togo, Niger and Mali as well as Nigeria's foreign minister and Ghana's vice-president.
The Economic Community of West African States is desperately trying to end the crisis, which threatens to spread regional turmoil on a tide of refugees.
Togo's Mr Gnassingbe Eyadema, Africa's longest-serving president, was named by the summit as the coordinator for mediation to bring the government and rebels to talks.
"When a house is burning, you have to help put out the fire, yours will be next," said Mr Eyadema.
The rebels say their aim is to get President Laurent Gbagbo to resign so that new elections can be held.
Many of the insurgents are from northern Ivory Coast, a heavily Muslim opposition heartland which has long complained of discrimination. It has been under rebel control since a September 19 coup failed to overthrow Mr Gbagbo.
Mr Gbagbo has much more solid support in the mostly Christian and animist south, including the main cocoa growing regions of the world's top producer. The army holds the south.