UN Security Council mulls more troops for Ivory Coast

Jan 15, 2011, 17:22 GMT

   New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Friday his proposal to deploy an additional 2,000 troops to beef up the beleaguered UN mission in Ivory Coast is being considered by the UN Security Council.

The UN mission in Ivory Coast, currently with about 9,000 military and civilians, has been shaken by mounting pressure and attacks from forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo, who lost the presidency in an election to rival Alassane Ouattara.

Gbagbo has refused to step down while Ouattara is under UN protection in Abidjan.

Ban said the request for the additional troops is being discussed by the 15-nation council. British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant confirmed to reporters that a draft resolution is under discussion to authorize the deployment.

Ban reiterated during a press conference a warning to Gbagbo and his supporters that they will be accountable for attacks against the UN. He said the UN has information that Gbagbo directly ordered those attacks and his supporters have committed 'grave human rights violations,' which the International Criminal Court at The Hague intends to investigate.

Access to the UN headquarters in Abidjan's Golf Hotel has been restricted by Gbagbo's troops. UN vehicles were burned while UN patrols have been fired at.

'The United Nations will not be deterred and will not be intimidated,' Ban said. He said the fresh troops to be authorized by the council would reinforce the mission in Ivory Coast.

Ban called on Gbagbo to 'stand aside' in order not to aggravate the situation in the country.

Asked whether he would support use of force to remove Gbagbo, Ban said African leaders had considered that as a last resort. African Union and leaders from some West African countries had met with Gbagbo to convince him to step down, but they were not successful.

'It's up to them,' Ban said. 'I am not sure where they stand now.'

Ouattara supported the use of force during a video teleconference with reporters in Washington on Friday.