ABIDJAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) led by President Laurent Gabogbo in Cote d'Ivoire said Tuesday it was pulling out of prime minister's transitional government, a move that will deal a blow to peace process in the conflict-hit West African country.

    The FPI decided to stop cooperation with Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny after an international working group charged with overseeing the latest UN peace plan in Cote d'Ivoire recommended on Sunday that the parliament's mandate which expired on Dec. 16 last year should not be renewed.

    The recommendation drew strong opposition from the FPI. The party's chairman Affi n'Guessan accused the working team of running against relevant UN resolutions.

    As the group dismissed the legality of the 223-member parliament, it could continue to question the legality of other departments, even that of government forces or the president, n'Guessan said. Cote d'Ivoire should not remain mute to the "coup attempt," he stressed.

    Thousands of youths took to streets on Monday to protest against international mediators' call to dissolve the parliament.

    The protesters set up roadblocks on traffic arteries here and forced shops and schools to close, affecting 10 districts in the country's economic capital.

    Analysts argued that behind the FPI strong reaction was the party's concerns about its ruling position.

    Under the insistence of Prime Minister Banny, President Gbagbo had to quit the key portfolios of defence, interior and economy desired by his FPI when the transitional government was formed last month. The decision met harsh criticism within the FPI.

    The FPI-dominated parliament became a bastion to check the power of the transitional government. The international working team argued, however, that the legislative power should be handed over to the government to speed up political reform in Cote d'Ivoire.

    The idea, if realized, will erode the power of the president and inflate the influence of the prime minister.

    The FPI, therefore, tried to mount pressure on Gbagbo and Banny by withdrawing form the peace process in a bid to gain an edge in the new round of political negotiations, analysts said.

    Major political forces in Cote d'Ivoire have not made formal responses to the FPI pullout. Only the opposition accused the FPI of attempting to overthrow the transitional government.

    In Paris, France's chief of defence staff, General Henri Bentegeat called for UN sanctions against Cote d'Ivoire, saying both sides appear unwilling to resolve the conflict.

    French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said on Wednesday the international community's aim to help Cote d'Ivoire restore peace, safeguard unity and ensure elections to be held in a just and transparent way remained unchanged.

    Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, also chairman of the African Union, flew in to meet Gbagbo and Banny on Wednesday night. The joint statement issued after the talks stressed international mediators had not dissolved the parliament of Cote d'Ivoire.

    "President Obasanjo, the president of the republic of Ivory Coast and the prime minister ask the population to leave the streets and go home," the joint statement said, calling on Gbagbo and Banny to find a political solution to the crisis.

    Analysts predict that facing the increasing pressure, the FPI will probably return to the UN-brokered negotiations, but will seek more political interests and try to squeeze Banny's influence.

    They believed Banny will also make coordination with Gbagbo andthe FPI and reduce French influence in the country to prepare for the next presidential and parliamentary elections.

    Cote d'Ivoire slid into a civil war after a foiled coup in September 2002, with rebels holding the country's north and part of the west. A string of peace deals have failed to unite the WestAfrican country and the presidential and parliamentary elections due last October were postponed.

    The country's constitutional council ruled last month the National Assembly should continue to work until a new parliament is elected. The opposition rejected the ruling. Enditem