African bank freezes Gbagbo's funds

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The Central Bank of West African States delivered a new blow to pressure Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo Friday, blocking his access to state funds.

The bank has recognized Gbagbo's rival in a disputed November election, Alassane Ouattara, as president and said only officials of the "legitimate government" will have access to deposits. The move will make it harder for Gbagbo to pay the military and civil servants and increase pressure on him to quit.

The satellite signal for Radio Television Ivorienne, which has played a key role in helping Gbagbo hang on to power, was cut, the BBC reported. The station, the only one based in the country, was still reaching the capital, Abidjan, but was not available elsewhere.

Violence since the election has claimed at least 173 lives, the United Nations said. A senior U.N. official said it had evidence of illegal executions, more than 90 cases of torture and 500 arrests, along with kidnappings, sexual violence and property destruction.

Ouattara and his supporters have begun setting up a government at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan, protected by 800 U.N. peacekeepers surrounded by Gbagbo's troops.

West African leaders plan to gather in Nigeria for an emergency meeting of the Economic Community of West African States to consider the next steps against Gbagbo.