PSC/AHG/Comm(XL) Page 2 9. Notes that significant progress has been achieved in the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire through the implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis, Accra III and Pretoria Agreements and that additional measures are required to expedite the implementation of the outstanding issues, in particular the dismantling and disarmament of the militias, the DDR and the creation of conditions for holding free, fair and transparent elections, based on the road-map to elections elaborated by the AU Mediator; 10. Endorses the observation of the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit on the end of the mandate of President Laurent Gbagbo on 30 October 2005, and the impossibility, acknowledged by all Ivorian parties, of organizing presidential elections on the scheduled date. Consequently, Council decides that the arrangements agreed upon in the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement shall continue from 31 October 2005 for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months on the basis of the following modalities; i. President Gbagbo shall remain Head of State during the abovementioned period, ii. a new Prime Minister acceptable to all the Ivorian parties signatories to the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement shall be appointed. The Government, which he will lead, shall be composed of personalities proposed by the Ivorian parties signatories to the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, iii. the Government shall continue to discharge the responsibilities and tasks assigned to it by the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III Agreements. The Ministers shall be accountable to the Prime Minister, who shall have full authority over his cabinet, iv. the Prime Minister shall not be eligible to stand for the elections to be organized, in accordance with the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, v. in order to assist the Government in the implementation of its programme and consolidate and strengthen the existing follow-up Mechanisms, an International Working Group (IWG) shall be established at ministerial level, which shall meet once a month in Côte d’Ivoire to evaluate, monitor and follow-up the peace process, including the roadmap agreed upon in Pretoria and any other subsequent agreements, by stating the degree of cooperation of the parties and other actors concerned, their respect of the commitments made and, if necessary, any attitude likely to hamper the successful conclusion of the peace and reconciliation process in Côte d’Ivoire, and make appropriate recommendations to the AU Peace and Security Council and to the UN Security Council. The IWG shall receive regular reports from the Mediation Group mentioned in paragraph 10 (viii) of this decision,