UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- The United Nations "deplores" threats made against U.N. peacekeepers by forces loyal to Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo, the U.N. secretary-general said.
Violence in the Ivory Coast spread Friday to the government capital Yamoussoukro as the political standoff intensified in the West African nation.
Witnesses told Bloomberg News that at least three people were dead in the streets of the political capital and gunfire was "probably" coming from forces loyal to Gbagbo.
Violence was reported in the west of the country Thursday as African Union leaders tried to break a political impasse that has simmered since November elections.
Gbagbo, the incumbent, refuses to hand over power despite a U.N. Security Council resolution recognizing Alassane Ouattara as the winner of the poll meant to unite the country. Civil war in 2002 split the country between rebel-held north and pro-government south.
At least 300 people were reported dead in the Ivory Coast since the election and Gbagbo has said members of the U.N. peacekeeping mission are backing rebel forces in his country.
A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Ban was "deeply concerned" by the clashes that are pushing the country to the brink of civil war.
"The secretary-general also deplores the latest threats by Gbagbo's camp against the United Nations, including the recent call to impede the movement of peacekeepers in Abidjan beginning today," a Friday statement read.
Ban added that anyone involved in targeting civilians or peacekeepers would be held accountable under international law.
