U.N. has strong words for Laurent Gbagbo

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Laurent Gbagbo can rest assured that he will be held accountable for deadly political violence in the Ivory Coast, warned U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Violence has plagued the Ivory Coast since no clear winner emerged from presidential elections in November. Gbagbo, the incumbent president, has refused to give up power despite a U.N. Security Council resolution recognizing Alassane Ouattara as the winner in the election.

Ban, in a message to Ivorian leaders, warned that attacks on civilians and international peacekeepers were a clear violation of international law. U.N. peacekeepers in the Ivory Coast have been attacked and their vehicles set ablaze allegedly by fighters loyal to Gbagbo.

"We have concrete intelligence that the former president and those around him are inciting their followers to violence, both against the U.N. and their own countrymen," Ban said.

Ouattara told the Voice of America that Gbagbo is stalling for time to purchase weapons and ammunition and recruit mercenaries and militias so he can stay in office.

Ouattara has rejected Gbagbo's appeal for negotiations and said Gbagbo must cede power. He said if Gbagbo won't leave office, he should be forcibly removed.