U.N. expresses shock at escalating bloodshed in Ivory Coast

At least 25 people were killed in what the United Nations called Friday a shocking escalation of violence in Ivory Coast, wracked by an electoral crisis that many fear is sliding toward another civil war.

France, Ivory Coast's former colonial ruler, condemned Thursday's "deliberate massacre of civilians" and called on the United Nations Security Council to adopt sanctions against self-declared President Laurent Gbagbo and his circle, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero.

The international community has widely recognized Gbagbo's challenger, Alassane Ouattara, as the winner of the November election and the legitimate leader of the west African nation.

But Gbagbo has refused to cede power, the stalemate resulting in uncertainty and bloodshed.

The United Nations refugee agency reported heavy shelling in the Abobo neighborhood of Abidjan that was responsible for the deaths. Many more were injured.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon condemned the shelling and urged the U.N. Security Council to take "further measures" against thouse found responsible for the violence. He said the U.N. would "continue to take the necessary steps to protect the civilian population."

Earlier in the week, attacks were reported in other parts of Abidjan, the commercial center of Ivory Coast, said a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

"We are shocked at the escalating violence in (Ivory Coast), particularly in Abidjan, where this week was by far the most violent since the post-election crisis began," the agency spokesman said at a briefing Friday.

A UNHCR monitor reported that 30 shops were burned Thursday and empty bullet shell casings littered the streets.

A community radio station was also attacked and set on fire in the neighborhood of Adjame, and sporadic gunfire was heard in several districts of Yopougon, where heavy fighting took place Monday.

The intensifying urban warfare has displaced hundreds of thousands of people attempting to flee to safer ground. About 75,000 have crossed borders, most into Liberia, according to the U.S. State Department. But thousands of others are out of their homes within Ivory Coast.

Humanitarian agencies have reported hampered aid distribution due to security concerns and harassment.

Human Rights Watch has blamed the violence on Gbagbo's security forces and said their actions give "every indication of amounting to crimes against humanity."