Ivory Coast by-elections in January

The government of Ivory Coast has set 14 January as the date for new parliamentary by-elections in the mainly Muslim north of the country.

Polls will be held in 26 constituencies where the opposition Rally of Republicans RDR boycotted elections in December.

It was protesting because its leader, Alassane Ouattara was excluded from standing for parliament after his nationality was contested in the country's Supreme Court.

In the election, President Laurent Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front FPI won 96 seats, while the former ruling party, the Ivory Coast Democratic Party PDCI won 77.

Correspondents say that the PDCI believes it may win the northern seats and a parliamentary majority if the RDR continues its boycott.

It has warned that it will not take up its seats until by-elections are held.

The Interior Minister, Emile Boga Doudou, said the government wanted the RDR to take part in the poll because it had a place in parliament.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service