At least three dead in I.Coast clashes: sources

ABIDJAN: At least three people were killed here Saturday in clashes between police and demonstrators protesting against a curfew to be imposed on the eve of presidential elections, sources said.

As youths protested against the curfew in Abidjan's northern working class district of Abobo, a stronghold of opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara, demonstrators clashed with the police who used firearms, witnesses and a police source told media.

A dozen people were injured in the violence, a journalist saw at a hospital where those hurt were taken.

Demonstrators also set fire to a police vehicle, police said.

The army and police later took over the neighbourhood and calm returned in the late afternoon.

Ivory Coast's President Laurent Gbagbo imposed the curfew from Saturday night and anxious residents stocked up at shops amid fears of unrest in Sunday's presidential election, after violence marred the run-up to the poll.

The curfew would be imposed from 10:00 pm (2200 GMT) Saturday until 6:00 am (0600 GMT) on Sunday and from 7:00 pm until 6:00 am each night from Monday to Wednesday.

The curfew will not apply to election staff and campaign officials, UN personnel, international observers and journalists.