UN Evacuates 200 Staff From Cote d'[Ivoire

The United Nations (UN) mission in Cote d’Ivoire began evacuating some 200 employees after frequent attacks on its headquarters by forces loyal to the country's strongman.

A UN employee said they were told on Sunday that they were leaving. They were taken by helicopter from the UN base downtown to the airport. Another helicopter will take them to the northern city of Bouake.

The person asked not to be named because employees are not authorised to speak to the press.

The evacuation order is for all 'essential employees.' Nonessential employees were already evacuated several months ago. The UN's military personnel is still in Cote d’Ivoire.

The French military force in Cote d’Ivoire secured the airport early on Saturday.

An adviser to Cote d’Ivoire's internationally recognised president says fighters are preparing for a final push to depose the entrenched incumbent.

The adviser said forces for Alassane Ouattara gathered outside the commercial capital of Abidjan on Saturday and planned to advance on Sunday. He requested anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to journalists.

The scene was calm on Sunday near Laurent Gbagbo's presidential palace. On Saturday his government urged civilians to form a human shield around his office and home. Hundreds of young men gathered near the palace on Sunday morning.

Fighters supporting Ouattara have taken nearly 80 per cent of Cote d’Ivoire in a bid to install him after Gbagbo refused to cede power.—AP