20110120
xinhua
ABIDJAN, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The camp of Laurent Gbagbo, one of Cote d'Ivoire's presidential claimants, has voiced opposition to the UN plan to send additional 2,000 peacekeepers to the West African country.

"It's not necessary today to send additional soldiers," Gbagbo's Foreign Minister Alcide Djedje said on Wednesday in the economic capital Abidjan at a press conference.

"The soldiers of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI) have been taking part in the attacks against the country together with the rebels," he declared.

"They have been engaged in the war against Cote d'Ivoire," he said, adding his government would resist the sending of additional soldiers.

"We are ready to launch a war," Djedje said.

The sending of additional 2,000 soldiers would bring the total number of UN peacekeepers in Cote d'Ivoire to 11,500.

Earlier, Gbagbo's government had officially asked for the withdrawal of peacekeepers for their partiality and showing open support for Alassane Ouattara, who is internationally recognized as the president-elect.

In Abidjan, Gbagbo's supporters attacked ONUCI patrol units recently, burning a UN vehicle and injuring three soldiers.

ONUCI has condemned forces loyal to Gbagbo for blocking it from accomplishing its mandate.