Mali's interim president Dioncounda Traore said on Wednesday in Abidjan that "there are still difficulties" for the restoration of constitutional order in his country despite the efforts that have been made by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since the March 22 coup d'etat.

"There are still some difficulties and we have come to tell president Ouattara to help us," Traore told the media after meeting with Cote d'Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara who is also the current ECOWAS president.

Mali's interim president arrived in Abidjan around 5:00 p.m. and he was expected to return to his country after the meeting.

Traore hailed the efforts of president Ouattara and ECOWAS which led to the swearing in of an interim president in conformity to Mali's constitution, the appointment of a transitional prime minister and the setting up of a transitional government.

"The role that he (Ouattara) has played has enabled us to make some progress but there's still more difficulties to be overcome and that's why I decided to come and see him," he said.

According to the agreement that was signed with the ECOWAS mediator, the junta accepted to hand over power to the civilians but rejected the 12 months political transitional period that was suggested by ECOWAS after the 40 days interim period of president Traore which ends on May 22.

The head of Mali's junta captain Amadou Haya Sanogo has suggested the organization of "a national convention" for the choice of a transition president.