Abidjan, Ivory Coast (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised the leader of Ivory Coast for progress made toward peace Tuesday but urged greater dialogue with the opposition to heal the wounds of a deadly political crisis. It's a "historic moment" for the Ivory Coast, Clinton said during a press conference with President Alassane Ouattara, who welcomed her to the presidential palace in the nation's commercial capital, Abidjan. Clinton's visit -- the first by a U.S. secretary of state to the west African nation in a quarter of a century -- comes just over a year after contested presidential polls, which led to widespread violence.
@highlight
Clinton visits Ivory Coast as part of a four-country tour of West Africa
@highlight
She praises the progress made but urges greater efforts toward reconciliation
@highlight
Ivory Coast was torn by post-election violence from December 2010 to April 2011
@highlight
Former President Laurent Gbagbo now faces four counts of crimes against humanity
In Abidjan Tuesday, @placeholder spoke of his government's "firm determination to build a rule of law, impartial justice with respect for human rights."