ABUJA, Nov. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Nigeria has stepped up mediation to resolve the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire, according to a statement issued weekend by the Nigerian government.

    The statement said the consultations are to seek a consensus inthe appointment of a new prime minister to lead a new government of national reconciliation in Cote d'Ivoire. It added that the government "is expected to hold office until elections are held inOctober 2006."

    As part of the efforts, Nigerian Foreign Minister Oluyemi Adeniji paid his third visit to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire's capital, on Wednesday and Thursday.

    Adeniji, who is also chairman of the International Ministerial Working Group, met with Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo and leaders of the nation's ten other political parties.

    A UN Security Council Resolution was adopted on Oct. 21 as a result of the impossibility of holding presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire last month.

    The resolution established a transition government for a periodof one year to be headed by a new prime minister to replace the present one who should have been appointed on Oct. 31.

    The resolution requested Nigerian President Obasanjo to lead a group of three African presidents to assist in the selection of a prime minister acceptable to all parties.

    During his visit to Cote d'Ivoire at the beginning of this month, Obasanjo received 16 nominations from political parties, civil society and some traditional rulers in Cote d'Ivoire. Enditem