U.N. document says Ivory Coast Gbagbo surrendered

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo has surrendered and asked for United Nations protection, an internal U.N. document seen by Reuters said on Tuesday.

"...President Gbagbo has also surrendered and has asked UNOCI's protection," the document to U.N staff said.

Gbagbo was negotiating his departure following a fierce assault by forces loyal to his presidential rival backed by U.N. and French helicopter air strikes.

(Reporting by Mark John; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Louise Ireland)