Germany concerned over escalation of Ivory Coast violence
Mar 7, 2011, 13:50 GMT
Berlin - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Monday expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Ivory Coast, which was driving tens of thousands of people out of the western African country.
'The situation in Ivory Coast carries the danger of a civil war and a refugee catastrophe with significant consequences for the entire region,' Westerwelle said.
'We demand that (presidential incumbent) Laurent Gbagbo immediately ends all violence and hands power at once to the rightfully elected president Alassane Ouattara,' the minister added.
The latest wave of violence comes after security forces shot and killed at least six unarmed protesters Thursday in Abidjan.
An estimated 365 people have died and hundreds of thousands have fled the West African state since disputed presidential elections in November.
The UN says challenger Alassane Ouattara won the November vote over incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to step aside.
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