"I have just been briefed this morning about the progress on the peace talks and I have been told that there has been some positive outcome," Renaud Muselier, France's minister of state for foreign affairs, told reporters in Zambia. "The issue is delicate and it requires an iron hand. But I have been encouraged by the progress so far."
Muselier declined to give details on the progress achieved.
Ivory Coast - the world's largest cocoa producer - has fallen into war since a failed September coup attempt to oust President Laurent Gbagbo, and the violence threatens the stability of the entire region.
Rebels have seized the north and parts of the west in fierce fighting that has left hundreds dead, while the government controls the south.
Delegates from the West African nation's warring factions have been holed up for a week at a sports center outside Paris to hammer out a deal to pull back from all-out war.
On Wednesday, the government accused France of openly siding with the rebels, but said an accord was close. However, violence flared anew in the West African country when assailants opened fire on a French military base near western Duekoue, injuring two soldiers, one seriously, France said.
France has deployed more than 2,000 troops in its former colony to protect foreigners and uphold the oft-violated cease-fire.
Muselier said France had averted a civil war by bringing all the parties to the negotiating table and said only dialogue can lead to a political solution to the crisis.
Muselier spoke during a two-day visit to Zambia that included meetings with officials from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa - Sapa-AP.
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