The Security Council has edged closer to sanctioning individuals blamed for last week's anti-UN violence in Ivory Coast. The movement came on Thursday as the UN mission in the Ivory Coast began a temporary evacuation of some civilian staff. "No decision has been taken today but I think we are very close to a decision (on sanctions)," Jean-Marc de La Sabliere, France's UN envoy, said after the council was briefed on the situation by the UN special representative for Ivory Coast, Pierre Schori."All members who took the floor today very strongly condemned the attacks against UN forces," de La Sabliere said. "It is not acceptable that the UN forces be attacked by those who do not want to implement the roadmap" [due to lead to free and fair elections by 31 October]. The French envoy, whose country is Ivory Coast's former colonial ruler, said the 15-member council favoured targeted and "balanced" sanctions against Ivorian pro-government and rebel personalities responsible for violence. He said a decision was likely to be made in the coming days.