Britain closes Ivory Coast embassy

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 1 (UPI) -- Britain has decided to close its embassy in Ivory Coast amid mounting violence in the West African nation Friday, the Foreign Office said.

A notice posted on the Foreign Office Web site is advising British citizens to leave the Ivory Coast. There are fears renewed fighting could erupt.

"This decision is mainly due to the uncertain security situation and our inability to protect staff or British nationals should there be another outbreak of violence," Chris Mullin, the UK minister for Africa, said in a statement.