Death Toll Rises to 247 in Ivory Coast

UN: 247 Killed In Ivory Coast Post-Election Violence

VoA News: The United Nations human rights office says at least 247 people have been killed in violence in Ivory Coast since its disputed presidential election in late November.

A spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rupert Colville, told reporters Friday the death toll has risen from 210 confirmed deaths a week ago.

Colville said the United Nations has been informed of three suspected mass graves, but that U.N. officials have not been able to access the areas. He said security forces have blocked U.N. efforts to verify their existence.

Separately, an official in former Ivorian Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara's administration says the International Criminal Court will investigate alleged post-election atrocities in Ivory Coast.

The international community recognizes Mr. Ouattara as the winner of the election, but embattled President Laurent Gbagbo has refused to resign.

Mr. Ouattara's Minister of Infrastructure Patrich Achi told VOA that ICC investigators will arrive in Ivory Coast in a few weeks. He also praised U.N. peacekeeping forces for preventing more violence between supporters of Mr. Ouattara and security forces loyal to Mr. Gbagbo.

An African Union mediator, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, plans to meet with Mr. Gbagbo and Mr. Alassane in an effort to resolve the political deadlock.