Threat of civil war as 173 die in Ivory Coast

The United Nations warned yesterday that at least 173 people have died in violence over the disputed presidential election, and said it had not even been able to investigate reports of a return to civil war.

At a special session on Ivory Coast in Geneva, the UN deputy human rights commissioner detailed hundreds of arrests and detentions, and dozens of cases of torture and mistreatment in the West African country.

"Unfortunately it has been impossible to investigate all the allegations of serious human rights violations, including reports of mass graves, due to restrictions on movement," Kyung-wha Kang told diplomats. "Indeed, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General was stopped at gunpoint, as he sought to verify such allegations."

She also expressed concern about how state media is being controlled by political allies of Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to leave the presidency despite international calls after the 28 November vote.

"Particularly alarming is the use of the national Radio and Television Ivoirienne and some newspapers to incite hatred and violence among the population and to disseminate false and inflammatory information against the United Nations," she said.

The UN and other world leaders recognise Alassane Ouattara as the winner of the presidential election. His prime minister has urged the UN, European Union, African Union and others to consider intervening to push incumbent Mr Gbagbo out of the presidency.

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