20110326
reuters

GENEVA (Reuters) - Up to one million Ivorians have now fled fighting in the main city Abidjan alone, with others uprooted across the country, the U.N. refugee agency said on Friday as violence escalated in a four-month power struggle.

France and Nigeria called on world powers to sanction incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo and his inner circle and ban heavy weapons in Abidjan, days after the United Nations warned that forces loyal to Gbagbo were readying an attack helicopter and powerful rocket launchers.

Gbagbo's camp denies using heavy weapons on civilians.

"The massive displacement in Abidjan and elsewhere is being fuelled by fears of all-out war," Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR told a news briefing in Geneva.

"Between 700,000 and one million could now be displaced."

Ivory Coast has descended to the verge of civil war following a disputed election in November last year which Alassane Ouattara is recognised internationally to have won. Gbagbo has refused to step down, saying the results were rigged.

The violent stand-off has led to 462 confirmed deaths.

In Abidjan, a city of 4 million, areas where fighting has occurred were deserted, shops were boarded up or looted and houses abandoned. In other areas, traffic was slow as few dared to venture out. Many restaurants and shops were shut.