(CNN) -- Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo on Saturday ordered all U.N. peacekeeping forces out of the country a day after Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called on the disputed re-election winner to step down.
Gbagbo's reaction to Ban's statement coincides with an increase in pressure Western governments are imposing on the Gbagbo government and a report of an overnight attack on a U.N. peacekeeping patrol.
European Union leaders late Friday threatened sanctions against the west African nation, and the United States announced it would impose "targeted sanctions" against Gbagbo, his family and associates, if the incumbent president does not leave office.
Meanwhile, six armed men wearing military uniforms and traveling in a civilian vehicle opened fire on U.N. peacekeepers in Sebroko overnight Friday, according to a statement Saturday on the peacekeeping operation's website. The U.N. troops returned fire. There were no reports of injuries.
Violence has also broken out between supporters of Gbagbo and of Alassane Ouattara, the internationally supported winner of the November runoff. Ban said Friday that Gbagbo's efforts to maintain his office "cannot be allowed to stand". CNN
