Ivory Coast: Gbagbo’s last stand in Abidjan’s presidential palace
Fighters loyal to Alassane Ouattara have surrounded the presidential palace in Ivory Coast with the help of UN and French helicopters, as incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo’s grip on power appeared increasingly tenuous.
Ouattara’s forces have described the assault on the main city of Abidjan as the final offensive to oust Gbagbo, whose refusal to acknowledge his rival as the legitimate winner of last year’s presidential election, prompted a violent conflict.
Sustained machine-gun and heavy weapons fire rang out from the direction of the palace before dawn, in the heaviest fighting since Ouattara’s forces entered the city five days ago.
Troops surrounding Gbagbo’s home are waiting for him to step down, an adviser to Ouattara told Associated Press
