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Drogba calls for unity in standoff

"I ask each of you, every manager, every soldier, every supporter, not to turn to violence and to make every effort to restore the calm and responsible democracy that our nation is waiting for," Drogba, spokesman for the national football team, was quoted as saying in a statement in French daily Le Figaro.

Drogba urged the international community to be measured in its response to the dispute, saying Ivorians would suffer if the country is deprived of funding from international lenders like the IMF.

"We hope that a solution will soon be found to avoid any confrontation on the street," said Drogba, who took no particular side in his statement.

Drogba was named as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people earlier this year in part for his charity work which includes a foundation to provide financial and material support for health and education across Africa.