U.N. irked by Gbagbo's decisions

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- The United Nations expressed frustration with a decision by Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo to search vehicles belonging to U.N. peacekeepers.

Forces in the Ivory Coast remain loyal to Gbagbo despite international recognition that his rival Alassane Ouattara won a November election meant to unite a country divided by civil war in 2002.

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky warned Gbagbo the move was a violation of international sanctions.

"The call by the Ivorian defense and security forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo to stop and search United Nations vehicles is a serious violation of the Status of Forces Agreement and Security Council resolution 1962 (2010) and therefore unacceptable," he said in a statement.

African leaders are trying to break the political impasse in the Ivory Coast, saying force might be needed to force Gbagbo to stand down.

The U.N. Security Council last week approved a measure to send more troops to the country to support the peacekeeping mission there. U.N. officials expressed concern that infighting bore the hallmarks of a pending campaign of genocide.

Ouattara remains holed up the Golf Hotel surrounded by U.N. peacekeepers. Gbagbo has called on U.N. forces to leave the country, a request denied by the United Nations.