Ivory Coast's ambassador to the United Nations has called for an independent probe into alleged violations by French troops in street violence in Abidjan last month.

Speaking Tuesday, at U.N. headquarters in New York, Ambassador Philippe Djangone-Bi accused France of using "heavy weapons of war," including tanks against "peaceful demonstrators."

France has said troops killed 20 people during anti-French rioting last month, but insists that soldiers opened fire in self-defense.

Mr. Djangone-Bi says an independent group should also investigate a French military attack on Ivory Coast's air force, moments ahead of the rioting.

France says the strike was in retaliation for Ivorian bombing raids on rebel bases, which killed nine French peacekeepers.