U.N.: 7 peacekeepers slain in Africa

UNITED NATIONS — Armed men ambushed and killed seven U.N. peacekeepers trying to protect villagers in Ivory Coast on Friday, and more than 40 peacekeepers who stayed to guard against more attacks remain in danger, the United Nations said.

Hundreds of villagers were fleeing the area near the Liberian border, and U.N. officials said others may have been killed or injured. Authorities have been unable to confirm any additional casualties because of the remoteness of the area near the Liberian border.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms,” saying he was “saddened and outraged” about the deaths of the peacekeepers, all from Niger. He urged the government of Ivory Coast to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Later Friday, the U.N. Security Council released a statement condemning the attack.

Ivory Coast’s deputy defense minister, Paul Koffi Koffi, said government forces, along with Liberian and U.N. forces, will launch an operation next Friday to find the men responsible. He said they were “militia men or mercenaries.”

An Ivorian Cabinet official who was briefed on the matter said President Alasanne Ouattara requested helicopter gunships from the U.N. and expected them to arrive by Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.