The humanitarian crisis in Ivory Coast persists even though strongman Laurent Gbagbo was captured by the rival forces of democratically elected President Alassane Ouattara, bringing an end to the fighting in the African nation, UN peacekeeping chief said.

“The crisis is not over at all… There is a huge humanitarian crisis,” Alain Le Roy told reporters.

Le Roy, who briefed the Security Council on the situation, said Gbagbos capture was an important step in ending the political crisis in the country.

The fate of former Ivory Coast President Gbagbo will be decided by his rival Ouattara, Le Roy said, noting the UN expected that the physical integrity of Gbagbo and his wife will be respected.

Following a disputed election in November, fighting between Gbagbo and Ouattara had brought the country close to a civil war as the former refuse to step down despite losing polls.

The countrys election commission and a UN team had recognised Ouattara as the winner of the elections.

More than 450 people have been killed since December and one million people have been displaced inside the country.

More than 90,000 refugees have fled to neighbouring Liberia.

As the security situation deteriorated last week, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon instructed UN peacekeepers Ivory Coast “to take the necessary measures” to protect civilians and prevent the use of heavy weapons.

India had previously stressed the UN mission in the country (UNOCI) should not become a party to the dispute.

Le Roy said UN and French forces were not involved in Gbagbo’s capture.

“It was President Ouattara’s forces who entered the residence and Mr Gbagbo surrendered to them.”

“We, again, targeted the heavy weapons, but it was the forces of Mr Ouattara who entered the residence,” Le Roy said