West African heads of state and ministers are due to meet in Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan, to discuss efforts to end a month-long insurrection in the country.
The meeting brings together leaders and ministers of six West African nations: Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo.
The aim of Wednesday's meeting is to choose a mediator who will bring rebels and Ivory Coast government officials together for face-to-face peace negotiations.
Last week, the six-nation contact group succeeded in getting both sides to agree to a cease-fire that has largely held.
Discussions will also touch on plans for the deployment of West African cease-fire monitors.
Rebels, who launched their attacks on September 19, continue to hold a large segment of the center and north of Ivory Coast.