Report: Three Lebanese Victims in Ivory Coast Violence

Fears grew for the safety of civilians in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s tense economic capital, amid reports about three Lebanese victims in the clashes between supporters of two rival presidents.

Charbel Zainoun, a Lebanese national residing in the African country, told Voice of Lebanon radio station on Thursday about the three Lebanese without saying if they were killed or injured.

He said Lebanese expatriates were urging Beirut authorities to help them evacuate the country.

A spokesman for the U.N. mission in Ivory Coast (ONUCI) said that 18 people have been killed nationwide in the past week, bringing to 410 the number of fatalities since the end of last year.

Troops loyal to incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo and fighters loyal to internationally recognized president Alassane Ouattara have moved in on civilian areas.

Ouattara on Tuesday made Gbagbo one final offer to form a national unity government.