* African countries take lead on issue in 47-member body
* U.S. increases death toll estimate in Ivory Coast (Recasts, adds quotes from Nigeria and Amnesty Int'l speeches)
By Laura MacInnis and Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Led by African states, the U.N. Human Rights Council was poised on Thursday to condemn deadly political violence in Ivory Coast and call for reconciliation to avoid renewed civil war.
Nearly 200 people have been killed in the West African country in politically motivated bloodshed that must be halted and fully investigated, the United States told the forum. The United Nations put the toll at more than 170.
At a special session, requested by African states, rich and poor countries condemned grave human rights violations committed since last month's disputed presidential election and raised concerns that they could escalate.
Nigeria, speaking on behalf of African states, said the top U.N. rights body must unite in backing its resolution that calls for investigating all crimes and protecting civilians. The 47-member body is due to vote on the text later on Thursday.
"While strongly condemning the human rights violations that have occurred in Cote d'Ivoire, including the loss of lives and property, the African Group sees the urgent need for all parties to refrain from committing any violation of human rights, respect all human rights...and hasten to restore democracy and rule of law," Nigerian diplomat Ositadinma Anaedu envoy said.
The African group also urged all media outlets in Ivory Coast to "guard against inciting violence or propaganda of hate speech in the publications or broadcasts, as this has the potential of setting the country into internal conflict".
CREDIBLE REPORTS
"We have credible reports that almost 200 people may have already been killed, with dozens more tortured or mistreated, and others have been snatched from their home in the middle of the night," U.S. ambassador Betty E. King said.
U.N. human rights officers have substantiated allegations that at least 173 people have been killed and 471 arrested or detained between December 16-21, Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the session.
Earlier on Thursday, Ivory Coast's army said it stands behind presidential incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, who is under international pressure to quit after the Nov. 28 election that major powers say he lost to rival Alassane Ouattara.
The prime minister of Ouattara's rival government, Guillaume Soro, has said the "only solution" to the crisis that risks rekindling civil war in Ivory Coast was for world leaders to use force to oust him if other measures fail.
King told the Geneva body, where developing states often vote as a bloc, that there was widespread agreement that the insecurity spreading in Abidjan needed to be stopped before it worsens.
"We call for the immediate end to the violence and the other abuses and violations, and we will work to ensure that those responsible for these human rights violations will be held accountable," she said.
In a speech, Amnesty International denounced killings, unlawful arrests and enforced disappearances, violence against women, incitement to violence, attacks on places of worship and denial of medical treatment during mass protests in Abidjan.
"Security forces and militiamen loyal to Laurent Gbagbo are reported to have shot at unarmed demonstrators point blank," Amnesty representative Patrizia Scannella told the talks.
The United States, the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union and the West African bloc ECOWAS have all recognised electoral commission results showing Ouattara as the winner of the election and have called on Gbagbo to step down.
The United States and the European Union have also since slapped travel sanctions on Gbagbo and his inner circle, and the World Bank on Wednesday froze funding to the country, to which it has aid commitments of over ${esc.dollar}800 million.
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