PSC/AHG/Comm(LXIV) Page 4 Rev. 1 19. Reaffirms its support to the impartial forces, namely, UNOCI and the forces of Operation Licorne that support it, and calls for the enhancement of their mandate, particularly in the provision of security for high-ranking government personalities and in the maintenance of law and order, for the holding of free, transparent, open and fair elections; 20. Underscores the need for the High Representative for Elections (HRE) to work closely with the Prime Minister and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to ensure effective and timely preparation for the elections. The Council encourages the Office of the HRE to play a greater role in the resolution of disputes linked to the electoral process, or issues arising out of the procedures and processes to be adopted to ensure free, transparent, open and fair elections at the end of the transition period; 21. Urges all Ivorian parties to exercise maximum restraint, work together to overcome the current stalemate and refrain from any unilateral action during the transition period; 22. Stresses the crucial importance of the active involvement of the civil society in the peace process. In this respect, the Council urges the Ivorian Government to take all necessary steps to facilitate and to encourage the participation of the civil society in the peace process, and requests the Commission of the African Union and the ECOWAS Executive Secretariat to support all efforts deployed to that end; 23. Reminds the Ivorian authorities of their responsibility for the safety and security of persons and property of all ECOWAS and third country citizens in Côte d’Ivoire; 24. Urges the Government to ensure the speedy adoption and implementation of the Code of Conduct for the media as agreed in Yamoussoukro on 5 July 2006; 25. Reaffirms its support to the individual measures provided for in paragraphs 9 and 11 of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1572 (2004) of 15 November 2004 and subsequent resolutions relating to the commitments made by the Ivorian parties, and calls on the United Nations Security Council to take appropriate measures, including sanctions, against individuals or groups whose conduct, either by commission or omission, impedes or disrupts the implementation of the peace process and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions on Côte d’Ivoire; 26. Urges the United Nations to take appropriate measures for the effective implementation of the arms embargo on Côte d’Ivoire, in conformity with resolution 1572 (2004), and to ensure that those who violate the embargo are severely punished; 27. Decides to submit this decision to the United Nations Security Council to enlist its support and, to this effect, requests the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union to take all the necessary steps; 28. Decides to remain seized of the matter.