US tells non-essential personnel to quit Ivory Coast

The United States ordered the evacuation of nonessential US Embassy personnel from the Ivory Coast on Sunday, citing the rising risk of violence following the country's disputed presidential election.

The State Department warned all US citizens against travel to the Ivory Coast until further notice, saying demonstrations by supporters of embattled incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo "are expected to turn violent. Hostility against Westerners, including US citizens, cannot be ruled out," it said in a statement. (Reuters)