Witnesses say calm has returned to Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan, after two days of clashes between supporters of incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara.
The army, which backs Mr. Gbagbo, imposed a curfew late Wednesday on Abidjan's Abobo district, an Ouattara stronghold that was the scene of this week's deadly fighting.
Residents of the area say they did not hear any shooting overnight.
At least 11 people were killed as pro-Gbagbo security forces fought with armed Ouattara supporters in Abobo Tuesday and Wednesday.
Abidjan residents remained on edge Thursday as the standoff between Mr. Gbagbo and Mr. Ouattara continued.
Both men say they won the November presidential election. Most countries recognize Mr. Ouattara as the winner, but Mr. Gbagbo refuses to step down.
Mr. Ouattara has been holed up in an Abidjan hotel for more than a month, protected by U.N. peacekeepers.
The U.N. said three of its peacekeepers were wounded late Tuesday in an ambush by Gbagbo forces. In a statement late Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said any attacks on U.N. peacekeepers are unacceptable.
Mr. Ban also accused pro-Gbagbo forces of trying to force U.N. troops out of the Abobo district. He said U.N. forces "are determined" to stay in the area and will carry out their mandate to protect civilians.
Article by VOA News