U.N. helpless to stop Ivorian attacks

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- U.N. peacekeepers in the Ivory Coast are unable to keep Laurent Gbagbo's forces from attacking civilians, their spokesman said.

"We sent a patrol there this morning; they were blocked," Lt. Col. Rais Shakib told The New York Times, referring to an Abidjan neighborhood raided by government forces. "They blocked us completely."

Amnesty International said at least five members of the security forces died Wednesday morning fighting armed civilians in the Abobo neighborhood, a stronghold of Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of the presidential election. Gbagbo, the incumbent president, also claims victory.

Witnesses said residents were pulled out of their homes and shot in the street.

Residents told the Times they repeatedly called a U.N. hotline for help and got no answer.

"We are appealing for help, to anybody," said Ambroise Kone, a doctor who treated some of the wounded.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday asked the Security Council to authorize 2,000 more military personnel for the 10,000-strong peacekeeping force, as well as three attack helicopters and a military hospital. He cited "direct threats from regular and irregular forces loyal to former President Gbagbo."