Cote d’Ivoire protesters attacks UN bases

ISN SECURITY WATCH (Wednesday, 18 January: 12.55 CET) – Supporters of the government in Cote d’Ivoire have attacked UN bases and vehicles after the ruling party called on peacekeepers to pull out of the country, news agencies reported.

UN troops fired tear gas to repel protesters in the main city, Abidjan, on Tuesday, while another base in west was overrun.

Reports said the ruling party had also said it was pulling out of the peace process after foreign mediators called for an end to the mandate of the national parliament.

Ivory Coast has been divided since September 2002, when rebels seized the north. Elections due last October were postponed because of continued instability.