UN peacekeeping chief in Ivory Coast Alain Le Roy said he hoped the troops would be available in a few weeks.

UN peacekeepers have been protecting a hotel in Abidjan that is sheltering Alassane Ouattara, the man recognised internationally as the new president.

Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo has refused to cede power.

Mr Le Roy said the request for more troops would be made in the next few days.

He said they were needed because of the current force's additional duty of protecting the hotel.

Mr Le Roy also said the UN was facing more hostility because of what he called false reports on the Gbagbo-controlled media.

An estimated 10,000 UN troops are already in the country.