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Pro-Gbagbo Forces Attack UN Peacekeepers in Abidjan

Forces loyal to former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo today attacked one of the UNOCI's patrols in the city of Abidjan.

The attack sparked an exchange of gunfire during which five members of the former president's forces were shot.

None of the soldiers of the UN Operation Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) were hurt during the fire fight with the Special Forces loyal to Mr. Gbagbo, the ex-president who refuses to step down despite his defeat in a runoff presidential election held last November.

The shootout occurred in the Cocody suburb of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire's largest city, on Friday.

"UNOCI wishes to remind all concerned that its peacekeepers are operating under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which authorises the use of force when under attack. UNOCI would also like to reiterate that it does not wish t o have a confrontation with any of the Ivorian forces."-UNOCI

Troops supporting Alassane Ouattara, the internationally-recognized President of Côte d'Ivoire, reportedly appear poised for a final push to oust Mr. Gbagbo.

The UN human rights organization yesterday urged forces loyal to Mr. Ouattara to show restraint after reports suggested they have been committing serious rights violations during their advance towards Abidjan.

Source: United Nations