Ivory Coast: Gbagbo negotiating surrender

Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo is negotiating his surrender and has requested protection from the United Nations, according to Reuters quoting a U.N. document.

Gbagbo demanded that he be safeguarded by the United Nations Operation on Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) which has about 7,500 peacekeepers in Ivory Coast.

"President Gbagbo … has asked UNOCI's protection," the document to U.N. staff said.

Gbagbo, 64, is negotiating his surrender Tuesday after retreating to the bunker under his residence in Abidjan. Many of Gbagbo's troops deserted after his bases were attacked Monday by U.N. helicopters and French forces.

The U.N. peacekeeping force has been protecting Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of the November election. But if Gbagbo officially steps down from power, the U.N. troops will be protecting him from attacks by Ouattara's armed supporters, who have taken over most of Ivory Coast and are currently fighting for control of Abidjan, the country's largest city.