Ivory Coast's military said today the army of former colonial power France of behaving like an occupying force, accusing them of systematically opening fire as they deployed to secure the main city Abidjan.
"By taking over Abidjan airport and deploying in our districts without any prior consultation, the French forces are acting like an occupying force," an army spokesman said, reading a statement on state television.
Meanwhile the United Nations has begun evacuating its personnel and more than 1,000 others holed up at UN headquarters in Ivory Coast.
French forces were also launching the evacuation today of thousands of French and other foreigners trapped by days of anti-French attacks, French officials said.
The evacuees include more than 1,600 people who have taken refuge at a French military base amid four days of violence, a French official said.
More than 800 people have been holed up for days at the UN headquarters. Ivory Coast is a former French colony.
French President Jacques Chirac said today the Ivory Coast authorities must take responsibility for restoring order in the West African country.
"The Ivorian authorities must take responsibility in issues of public order," a government spokesman quoted Mr Chirac as telling a cabinet meeting.
AP