Jeddah, Rabi Al-Akhir 16, 1432, March 16, 2011, SPA -- The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has called for restraint against the background of the fast deteriorating situation in Cote d’Ivoire. Prof Ihsanoglu noted with grave concern the escalation of violence in Cote d’Ivoire especially in Abidjan where forces loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo recently killed over twenty five supporters of President Alassane Ouattara, appealing for calm and restraint in order to avoid the spread of the conflict in parts of the city. He requested former President Gbagbo to rein in his supporters and prevent the country from slipping into a renewed civil war. The Secretary General appealed to the outgoing President to assume responsibility and cede power immediately to the elected leader, President Ouattara, to save the Ivoirian nation from further destruction. --SPA 12:25 LOCAL TIME 09:25 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/875833