UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council Monday urged all Ivorians to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from violence amidst a political impasse and recent bouts of violence in Cote d'Ivoire.

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"The members of the Security Council urged all Ivorians to exercise maximum restraint, remain calm, resist provocative actions, refrain from violence and work together to restore sustainable peace," the council said in a statement.

The statement was read to the press by Mirsada Colakovic, deputy permanent representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN, whose country holds this month's security council presidency.

The Security Council "condemned attacks against peacekeepers and civilians," urging the political crisis in the country to be "resolved peacefully," said the statement.

It said the Security Council welcomed the intention of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to dispatch another joint high-level mission as soon as possible to continue discussions with two parties and encouraged the AU's and ECOWAS's sustained engagement.

The Security Council strongly condemned, and demanded an immediate halt to, the use of media to propagate false information to incite hatred and violence, including against the UN.

The statement also expressed deep concern over continued violence and human rights violations.

The members of the Security Council reiterated the "readiness of the Security Council to impose measures, including targeted sanctions against persons who threaten the peace process," said the statement.

Cote d'Ivoire has been in a political impasse since the landmark presidential run-off held on November 28. Both Gbagbo and Ouattara claimed victory, swore themselves in as president of the country and formed their respective government.

The Independent Electoral Commission on Dec 2 released provisional results showing that Ouattara won the election in the second round with 54 percent of the votes.

The country's Constitutional Council, however, immediately declared that the results were invalid and announced Gbagbo as the winner.

The United Nations, the AU and ECOWAS have all thrown their support behind Ouattara.

ECOWAS has earlier urged Gbagbo to step down and vowed the use of legitimate force if he fails to heed its immutable demand.