Ivory Coast: Parliament amends controversial law on foreigners

Ivory Coast's parliament has amended a controversial law on the status of foreigners that the opposition has said was one of the sparks that ignited a rebellion and civil war two years ago. The amended law, passed late Wednesday, outlines five different types of residents' permits in Ivory Coast, including a "free movement permit" for nationals of member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) who do not hold a passport and are staying in Ivory Coast for less than three months. A free movement permit will also be accorded to nationals of non-ECOWAS countries, provided their country has a reciprocal agreement for Ivorians.