Sweden evacuates embassy in Cote d'Ivoire to Accra

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 16 (GHP) -- Sweden has evacuated its embassyin the Cote d'Ivoire amid warnings of more violence, Radio Sweden reported on Tuesday.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Inga Bjoerk-Klevby and the last of her staff left the Cote d'Ivoire Monday night aboard a Swedish military transport plane that was sent to help evacuate Swedes and other foreigners.

The Swedish aircraft will also participate in the French-led evacuation operations before it returns home this weekend.

The Swedes were flown to Accra in Ghana. The Swedish Embassy inAbidjan will be closed until further notice.

The decision to evacuate came Monday when the U.N. Security Council also imposed an immediate arms embargo on Cote d'Ivoire's government.

Along with the arms embargo, which will last at least 13 months,the United Nations also banned the incitement of public hatred or violence. This comes in response to Cote d'Ivoire television and radio airing anti-French and anti-foreigner hate messages.

Some 5,000 westerners have fled the country, as well as some 10,000 nationals. Enditem