Accra, Dec. 8, GNA - The United Kingdom on Wednesday welcomed the "strong stance" of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)= on the political turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire. The Foreign Secretary, Mr William Hague, said that ECOWAS had "sent a clear and unequivocal message that Cote d'Ivoire's neighbours are determi= ned to uphold democratic principles and to take robust action against those t= hat seek to frustrate the will of the majority".

"The UK welcomes the strong stance taken by the Economic Community o= f West African States on the situation in Cote d'Ivoire", he said in a statement released at the British High Commission in Accra. Mr Hague said: "The UN has validated the results announced by the Independent Electoral commission confirming that Mr Alassane Ouattara had=

won the elections. The ECOWAS Summit has resoundingly reinforced this position. "Swift and concerted international action is needed to encourage a peaceful outcome. The UK will continue to engage closely with African and=

other international partners in support of a resolution that respects the=

will of the Ivorian people."

ECOWAS leaders who met in Abuja, Nigeria, on Tuesday issued a communiqu=E9 in which they said they recognised opposition leader Alassan= e Ouattara as the president-elect of Cote d'Ivoire in a disputed run-off election. They called on incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo to hand over power= to Ouattara. The ECOWAS leaders stressed that the will of the Ivorian people must= be respected. The Independent Electoral Commission declared Ouattara as winner of the 28 November vote, but the Constitutional Council reversed the verdict and=

gave victory to Gbagbo, who has ruled the country for the past 10 years. 8 Dec. 10