The latest flare was unleashed when security forces entered the headquarters of the opposition Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI) headed by ex-president Henri Konan Bedie to flush out supporters of Alassane Ouattara, who was internationally recognized as the winner of the November 28 presidential run-off.

The police source said the security forces shot in the air and used teargas, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

The PDCI offices in the posh suburb of Cocody became the campaign headquarters of Ouattara, who was being supported by the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) during the second round of presidential elections held on November 28.

Hundreds of youths have been camping at the PDCI headquarters "to secure" the offices after the violent attack by members of Cote d'Ivoire's Student Federation (FESCI), an organization in support of incumbent Laurent Gbagbo during electoral campaigns.

Access to the Golf Hotel, where Ouattara and his government are still holed up along with PDCI president Bedie, has been blocked by forces loyal to Gbagbo.

The hotel, just 2 km from the PDCI headquarters, is under the guard of hundreds of UN peacekeepers.