Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Embattled Ivory Coast President Pressures UN

   VOA News  21 January 2011
   Bangladeshi  Police  officers walk past Jordanian peacekeepers outside
   the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 01 Jan 2011

Photo: AP

   Bangladeshi  Police  officers walk past Jordanian peacekeepers outside
   the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 01 Jan 2011

   Ivory  Coast's incumbent president, Laurent Gbagbo, has ordered police
   and  army  officials  to  search  all  United  Nations  vehicles as he
   increases pressure on the world body.
   Mr.  Gbagbo's  government has ordered all U.N. peacekeepers out of the
   country,  saying they are not impartial in the political crisis facing
   Ivory Coast.
   U.N.   peacekeepers   are  protecting  Mr.  Gbagbo's  rival,  Alassane
   Ouattara,   the   internationally   recognized  winner  of  November's
   presidential election.
   Mr.  Ouattara,  says  a military operation against Mr. Gbagbo is now a
   matter  of days.  Mr. Ouattara said Thursday that his prime minister,
   Guillaume  Soro,  is  traveling across West Africa on a mission to set
   the details of the operation.
   Mr. Ouattara says he is open to letting Mr. Gbagbo live in Ivory Coast
   with  all  his  privileges, as a former president, but said Mr. Gbagbo
   has to resign now and peacefully.
   Also  Thursday,  the United Nations said at least 260 people have been
   killed in Ivory Coast since November's election.
   In  an  effort  to maintain order, the U.N. Security Council said this
   week  its is increasing the peacekeeping force in Ivory Coast by 2,000
   troops, raising the total number to 12,000.

.