Ivory Coast Struggles to Overcome Impasse at Ghana Talks

Ghana's President John Kufuor has urged Ivory Coast political and rebel leaders to bury their differences and move ahead with forming a unity government to end five months of civil war.

President Kufuor hosted peace talks Thursday between the man appointed to assemble a new government, Prime Minister Seydou Diarra, as well as the main political opposition leader, Alassane Ouattara, and the rebels.

Officials say the meetings in Ghana's capital, Accra, focused on implementing a six-week old peace plan that establishes a power-sharing government with the rebels.

The U.S. State Department joined Mr. Kufuor and other African leaders Thursday in urging the two sides to fulfill the terms of the French-brokered peace agreement.

The deal has stalled for weeks over a dispute regarding the appointment of rebels to key ministries - defense and interior. The rebels insist they were promised the posts. President Gbagbo has refused to give them the two portfolios.

Although Ivory Coast's President, Laurent Gbagbo was also in Accra Thursday for a state visit, he did not attend the talks.

Prime Minister Seydou Diarra, who has tried for weeks to form a coalition acceptable to all sides, has threatened to quit if the impasse continues.