ABIDJAN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Clashes broke out on Saturday morning in Abidjan, the economic capital of Cote d'Ivoire, between security forces and opposition supporters attempting to hold a protest despite a formal ban issued by the prefect.

In Cocody, a commune in the east of Abidjan, several people tried to gather in small groups near the Saint Jean church. However, they were quickly dispersed by security forces using tear gas after brief altercations.

This attempted gathering was initiated by a coalition of major opposition parties comprising the African People's Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PPA-CI) of former President Laurent Gbagbo and the Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI) of Tidjane Thiam. They had planned a march to protest the removal of their leaders from the electoral list, a decision that prevented them from being candidates in the Oct. 25 presidential election.

"As of 11:30 a.m. (local time), 237 people have been arrested, among them women and young people," said Interior and Security Minister Vagondo Diomande during a press conference in Abidjan. He lamented that "some completely irresponsible young people were sent into the streets to erect barricades."

The minister, however, emphasized that the rest of the national territory remained calm. "Security forces have been deployed to allow all citizens to go about their business and for national life to continue its normal course," he said, praising the professionalism of the units involved.

Diomande said this protest was held in violation of Article 138 of the Constitution, which strictly regulates public gatherings. "Those caught participating in an unauthorized demonstration will face the law," he warned.

As the electoral campaign for the presidential election began on Friday, the minister praised "the sense of responsibility of the majority of young people," and called on all citizens to preserve the image of a stable Cote d'Ivoire.

Five candidates, including incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, who chose the city of Daloa in west-central Ivory Coast to launch his campaign, are in the running for this election. ■