A statement issued by the Ivorian Defence Ministry on Friday said the decision was reached after several working sessions between President Laurent Gbagbo and Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, who is secretary general of the New Forces.
The statement said the two leaders asked the Ivorian Chief of Defence Staff, Philippe Mangou and that of the New Forces Bakayoko Soumaïla to provide the soldiers.
It said the arrangement is in fulfillment of the Ouagadougou agreement between the two factions in the Ivorian government.
The statement said in compliance with this directive, the two army chiefs of staff decided, after consultation, to deploy the 8,000 men across country through security zone command posts as follows:
Abidjan, which covers the Regions of Agnéby, the Lagoons and South-Comoé: 1,300 men.
Yamoussoukro, which covers the regions of Fromager, the Lakes and Marahoué: 1,000 men.
Bouaké, the territory of the former rebels, which covers the region of Valley of Bandama: 1,000 men.
Korhogo, which covers the regions of the Savannah: 800 men
Man, which covers the Regions of the 18 Mountains and the Middle-Cavally: 1,000 men.
San-Pedro, which covers the regions of Bas-Sassandra and the South-Bandama: 800 men.
Odienné, which covers the Regions of Denguélé and Bafing: 600 men.
Abengourou, which covers the regions of Middle-Comoé and N'zi-Comoé: 500 men.
Daloa, which covers the Regions of Haut-Sassandra and Worodougou: 500 men.
This announcement comes at a time when the New Forces has demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Soro.
A meeting is expected on Monday in Bouaké between the political wing and the other groups of the former rebel movement, to decide on the resignation request.
Abidjan - 17/04/2009
Pana
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