Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia discuss border security

Cote d'Ivoire and Liberian authorities held talks with the United Nations on the security and humanitarian situation in western Cote d'Ivoire along the border with Liberia, a UN statement said on Friday. "Through the initiative of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI) and the UN Mission in Liberia (MINUL), the monthly meeting on border security dubbed Operation Mayo was held on Thursday in western Cote d'Ivoire," the statement said. "The security situation is calm and has largely improved, but it requires constant vigilance," the statement said, citing a report by the UN observer mission. The issue of Cote d'Ivoire refugees was equally discussed during the meeting that was presided over by colonel Pierre Anani, deputy commander of ONUCI force in the western sector. According to Liberia's immigration services, 2,825 Cote d'Ivoire refugees have returned to their country between Jan. 21- 31. Over 100,000 Cote d'Ivoire nationals fled to Liberia at the height of the 2010-2011 post election violence. At least 50,000 of them are still living in the country.