Ivory Coast's president has urged Ghana to arrest and hand over Ivorians charged with crimes during post election violence in his country.

Alassane Ouattara made the request Thursday during a visit to Ghana for talks with President John Atta Mills.

The United Nations estimates at least 3,000 people were killed in the five-month power struggle following the election of Mr. Ouattara.

The violence erupted after former president Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat. Pro-Ouattara fighters eventually seized control of the country and arrested Mr. Gbagbo, who is now under house arrest.

Mr. Ouattara launched a reconciliation panel last week aimed at unifying the nation, while the government announced parliamentary elections will be held in December.

Also this week, the Hague-based International Criminal Court authorized its top prosecutor to launch an investigation into possible war crimes in Ivory Coast during the post-election period.