Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) failed to agree on steps to resolve Cote d'Ivore crisis, the official News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported on Monday.

The extraordinary summit at the weekend merely agreed to submit recommendations to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

Details of the recommendations were not revealed in a final communique issued at the end of the summit.

A top source at the meeting told reporters that discussions by the heads of states were inconclusive.

Cote d'Ivore has been enveloped in crisis since rebels took up arms against the government led by Laurent Gbagbo.

The framework for peace in Cote d'Ivoire contained in UN Resolution 1633 of 2005, recommended that presidential elections be held on Oct. 30.

With the date drawing close, and elections not looking feasible, the rebels had resumed hostilities forcing the ECOWAS leaders to seek for a way out of the debacle.

ECOWAS leaders have expressed concern over the numerous deep-rooted and persistent blockades impeding the implementation of UN Resolution 1633.

They noted that Cote d'Ivore crisis was a threat to regional peace and security, and commended the working group for supporting the UN and French peacekeeping forces in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2006)