Abidjan, Ivory Coast, June 18, SPA -- President Laurent Gbagboappointed a military governor for volatile western IvoryCoast, where up to 70 people were hacked or shot to deathin recent violence, part of new security measures meant torestore calm in the war-divided nation ahead of Octoberelections. In a speech late Friday, Gbagbo announced the appointmentfor the Moyen Cavally region, which comprises thecocoa-growing town of Duekoue where bloody violence hasflared between immigrant farmers and local landowners ofthe Guere ethnic group over the last several weeks. The Associated Press quoted Gbagbo also saying that he had set up a rapid intervention force in the main city Abidjan, saying "insecurity and violence have become insupportable" there. "Security is the best way of assuring that elections goahead as the constitution of our country prescribes," hesaid. "What happened in Duekoue is morally, politicallyand militarily unacceptable." --SP1415 Local Time 1115 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/270744