Ivory Coast: UN presses Ouattara over Duekoue massacre

Ban Ki-moon said he was "concerned and alarmed" about the reports, from the town of Duekoue, but Alassane Ouattara said his followers were not involved.

UN forces are now guarding thousands of civilians taking refuge at a church.

In Abidjan, fighting has continued between troops loyal to Mr Ouattara and those of his rival, Laurent Gbagbo.

Pro-Ouattara forces have beaten back Laurent Gbagbo, to a few key locations, but witnesses say the city is now quieter.

Late on Sunday, officials close to Mr Gbagbo said defence chief General Philippe Mangou had left the residence of South Africa's ambassador, where he took refuge after defecting to Mr Ouattara'#s side last week.

A spokesman told the AFP news agency that Gen Mangou had attended a meeting with Mr Gbagbo; one source told Reuters that he had decided to resume his duties as the commander of Mr Gbagbo troops.

Earlier, UN spokesman Hamadoun Toure told the BBC he had heard gunfire near the presidential palace, currently held by Mr Gbagbo, adding that the situation was very tense.

The airport, which had been secured by UN troops since Friday, is now under the control of French troops, allowing it to re-open.

There were reports that the UN was evacuating around 200 employees from Abidjan.

But the city's pro-Gbagbo TV station called for people to mobilise against what it called a French '"occupation".

Mr Ouattara's forces are reported to be planning a further advance towards the presidential palace and have imposed a curfew on the city; Kazinform cites BBC News.

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