Some 800 foreigners have taken refuge at the UN mission in Abidjan, under guard of UN peacekeepers as "unruly mobs" roam the streets, a UN spokesman said on Monday. "The UN mission in Cote d'Ivoire reports that unruly mobs are roaming the streets or some streets in Abidjan.
"It says the city is relatively quiet, though with most avenues deserted and people staying home," he said.
The former French colony, the world's top producer of cocoa, has been in renewed crisis since the government bombarded rebel positions in the north on Thursday.
Nine French soldiers and a US citizen were also killed.
"Hate media broadcasts aimed at foreigners continue and some 800 foreign nationals have sought refuge within the compounds and sites of the UN mission in Abidjan, where they are being guarded by UN peacekeepers."
"They are taking refuge in UN buildings because they are being harassed and frightened by thugs who are roaming the streets."
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council held talks Monday on a French resolution to impose an arms embargo on Ivory Coast, where nine French peacekeepers were killed in government air raids at the weekend.
French diplomats said they were hoping for a vote as soon as possible, but added that initial reports of a vote as early as Monday evening seemed less likely as the talks continued at UN headquarters in New York.
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