Updated

The Ivory Coast government is calling on disgruntled soldiers to return to their barracks after they protested in the streets over their benefits.

The Defense Ministry said it would make concessions the soldiers, whose complaints earlier Tuesday had raised the specter of widespread unrest.

The demands of the soldiers — dominated by former rebels who brought the current president to power — include increased health care benefits and improved opportunities for career advancement in the military.

Defense Minister Paul Koffi Koffi said the government will address those issues.

Ivory Coast is still recovering from a bitter political standoff that left about 3,000 people dead after a disputed December 2010 election.

The country is due to hold its next vote in 2015.