US Wants ECOWAS To Boost UN Troops In Cote D'ivoire

US Wants ECOWAS To Boost UN Troops In Cote D'ivoire

The United States says it is discussing with ECOWAS countries about boosting UN troops in Cote D'Ivoire , amid the political crisis in the country.

State Department spokesman, Philip Crowley confirmed this development ahead of the ECOWAS Heads of State emergency meeting on Friday in Abuja to address the situation.

In the words of Crowley, ''we are in discussions with other regional countries to see if there are ways in which we can reinforce the UN peacekeeping force, we can't rule out that at some point in time he may challenge the presence of that force through his own force. We want to make sure that the UN has the capability to maintain peace and stability in Cote d'Ivoire while this is being worked out.''

The UN, which has about 10,000 peacekeeping force in the country, had reported that national security forces loyal to Gbagbo have targeted UN personnel and their operations.

Crowley did not elaborate whether the deployment would involve both additional troops and military equipment.

Army stands by Gbagbo

Meanwhile, Cote d'Ivoire 's army spokesman said in an address on state TV that the military stands united behind incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, after a top aide of rival presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara said world leaders may have to use force to oust him.

Gbagbo is under international pressure to quit after a November 28 election they say he lost to Ouattara, deepening a dispute that has already killed 150 people and threatened to rekindle a civil war.

"There is no doubt about the cohesion as perfect brothers in arms of the security and defence forces," army " , we also reaffirm our unfailing attachment to the president." The spokesman was quoted as saying.

The comment came hours after the prime minister of Ouattara's rival government, Guillaume Soro, said the only solution' to the crisis was for world leaders to use force to oust him if other measures fail.

Côte d'Ivoire has been plunged into political uncertainty after incumbent president; Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede electoral defeat to Alassane Ouattara.

ECOWAS, AU, the UN and the international community have endorsed Ouattara's victory, in the run-off presidential elections held on November 28, which Gbagbo claims to have won.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon told the General Assembly that the country faced ‘a real risk' of return to civil war with mercenaries being recruited from neighbouring countries.

Ban said freelance former combatants from Liberia have been recruited to target certain groups in the country.

NAN/REUTERS/Margaret/Qasim/Yinka