Leave Ivory Coast, Gbagbo tells UN, French forces

 “The government demands the departure of the UNOCI and LICORNE forces in Ivory Coast and is opposed to any renewal of their mandate,” said spokeswoman Jacqueline Oble, reading a statement over state television.

“UNOCI has interfered seriously in the internal affairs of Ivory Coast,” she said.
The West African country has been in turmoil since a November 28 election in which Gbagbo claimed victory with backing from the nation’s top legal body, rejecting as fraudulent results showing he lost to rival Alassan Ouattara.

The United Nations, which has 10,000 soldiers and police in the country following its 2002-03 civil war, and former colonial power France, whose LICORNE force supports the UN mission there, have urged Gbagbo to accept defeat.

The dispute turned violent last week as pro-Ouattara marchers clashed with security forces, leaving at least 20 people dead on Thursday. Former rebels supporting Outtara also exchanged fire with the army in Abidjan and in Tiebissou in central Ivory Coast.

Sanctions

The US, France and the European Union have threatened sanctions against Gbagbo, his inner circle and their families if he does not stand down within days. A top US State Department official said on Friday that Gbagbo had been offered exile in an African country, but a Gbagbo spokesman later said he would not leave.