A United Nations delegation is on its way to Ivory Coast to try to persuade its military rulers that a quick return to democratic rule is desirable.

A UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said that the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, is supporting the efforts of the Organisation of African Unity and the Economic Community of West Africa, who have also sent delegations to the country.

Ivory Coast's democratic government was toppled in a coup on Christmas Eve.

The new military leader, General Robert Guei, has promised elections but has not given a timetable for the return to civilian rule.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service