CIVIL WAR

U.N., France Fire on Ivory Coast

Helicopters hit pro-Gbagbo camps.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday authorized more military involvement in the worsening civil war in Ivory Coast. Sarkozy issued a statement Monday saying the operation, in response to a United Nations request, aims to neutralize troops loyal to Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to give up power after losing a U.N.-certified election in May. Witnesses in Ivory Coast said U.N. helicopters fired four missiles at a pro-Gbagbo military camp in the main city Abidjan before Sarkozy’s announcement. Meanwhile, forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of the last presidential election, say they have surrounded Gbagbo's palace and believe he'll be captured by Tuesday.