Ivory coast crisis: UN confirms strikes

French and UN helicopters have fired on military camps operated by Ivory Coast incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo, in a bid to halt attacks on civilians.

The strikes came as fighters backing Mr Gbagbo's rival Alassane Ouattara stepped up their attempts to take control of the main city, Abidjan.

The UN has been under pressure to fulfil its mandate to protect civilians, and asked for French help.

The UN chief's representative in Ivory Coast, Choi Young-jin, spoke to the BBC by phone from Abidjan.