UN seeks more Ivory Coast troops

By James Copnall
BBC Ivory Coast correspondent

Mr Mbeki is leading a mediation process in Ivory Coast

The UN peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast has asked for reinforcements in the light of the deteriorating situation in the country.

It says it needs an additional 1,000 troops to continue to maintain order in the West African country.

It has 6,250 soldiers in place but they were unable to prevent renewed clashes of a dormant civil war last month.

Ivory Coast has been in crisis since rebel soldiers grabbed the north of the country in September 2002.

Sanctions

A UN official in the country told the BBC he expected the security council to grant the request.

Last month the Ivorian armed forces launched attacked on the rebel-held north of the country, breaking an 18-month-old ceasefire.

There was also days of turbulence in the government-held south.

UN peacekeepers were involved in operations to evacuate thousands of westerners.

The UN peacekeeping force is made up of contingencies from several African countries and from Bangladesh.

It is unclear which countries the new peacekeepers would come from.

The UN force also has overall responsibility for around 4,000 French soldiers in the country.

The UN security council is considering whether to impose individual sanctions on those seen to be blocking the peace process.

Last month, an arms embargo was put in place, affecting both the government and the rebels.

South African President Thabo Mbeki is in charge of a mediation process.

However, the succession of failed peace initiatives mean few people in Ivory Coast are optimistic.