LAGOS, Nov. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, also chairman of the African Union, on Friday arrived in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, to intervene in the renewed political crisis in the west African state.

    During the one-day visit, Obasanjo will meet with his counterpart Laurent Gbagbo and rebel leader Gian Soro separately to discuss on the appointment of an acceptable prime minister that would help government in organizing the next elections, the official News Agency of Nigeria reported.

    He would also meet with all political parties to secure their support for the incoming government and ensure peace and stability in the country, which was divided into the rebel-held north and the government-controlled south after a failed coup three years ago.

    Tension has been mounting in Abidjan during the week since the expiration of the term of office of the present administration and the cancellation of elections on October 30.

    The United Nations, following the recommendations of the sub-regional and regional bodies, recommended a one-year extension of the tenure of the Gbagbo administration and a new, more powerful prime minister to allow for fresh elections in the country.

    The opposition and rebels had opposed the extension demanding the immediate stepping down of Gbagbo and the appointment of an interim administration to organize the elections. Enditem