U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday lifted economic sanctions that were placed on Ivory Coast more than 10 years ago during a civil war, citing a successful presidential election last year and progress on fighting illegal trafficking of natural resources.

"Côte d’Ivoire has taken important steps to strengthen its governing and economic institutions and reconcile the differences that led to war," White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Source:Reuters.com