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UN Chief Warns Attack Could Spark Civil War in Ivory Coast

   VOA News 31 December 2010
   Supporters of opposition leader Alassane Ouattara, make their feelings
   known, as they sing at an event at a hotel in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 30
   Dec 2010

Photo: AP

   Supporters of opposition leader Alassane Ouattara, make their feelings
   known, as they sing at an event at a hotel in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 30
   Dec 2010

   U.N.  Secretary-General  Ban  Ki-moon  has  warned supporters of Ivory
   Coast's  incumbent  leader,  Laurent  Gbagbo,  that  an  attack on his
   political rival could reignite civil war.
   A  spokesman for Mr. Ban Thursday said the secretary-general is deeply
   alarmed  by  calls  to  attack  the  hotel  where Alassane Ouattara is
   working  under  U.N.  protection.   The United Nations recognizes Mr.
   Ouattara  as the winner of last month's presidential run-off election,
   but Mr. Gbagbo disputes the results.
   Mr.  Ban's  spokesman said U.N. peacekeepers are authorized to use all
   necessary  means  to protect its personnel and government officials at
   the hotel.
   British  Foreign  Secretary  William  Hague  told  the BBC Friday that
   Britain  would  support  a  U.N.-sanctioned  military  intervention if
   negotiations cannot convince Mr. Gbagbo to step down.
   West   African   leaders  have,  for  now,  decided  against  military
   intervention  as  envoys  for  the  regional  bloc ECOWAS plan further
   negotiations  with Mr. Gbagbo.   The presidents of Benin, Cape Verde
   and Sierra Leone say they will return to Ivory Coast next week to urge
   Mr.  Gbagbo to accept the election results after an inconclusive first
   round of talks.
   Both  Mr.  Gbagbo  and  Mr.  Ouattara  say  they  won  the November 28
   presidential run off election.  The United Nations, the United States
   and  many  other world powers recognize Mr. Ouattara as the winner and
   the country's president.
   The  presidential election was intended to stabilize the country eight
   years after a civil war divided the country into northern and southern
   factions.

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