 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Backers of Cote d'Ivoire's Laurent Gbagbo accused French troops and forces fighting for rival Alassane Ouattara of staging an assassination attempt, as a battle engulfed the embattled leader's residence to force the strong man out. "Heavy weapons fire is targeting his residence with aerial and ground support from Licorne," said Gbagbo's spokesman, Ahoua Don Mello, referring to the name of the French forces in the country. Gbagbo was holed up in his residence in Abidjan's northern suburb of Cocody, refusing either to surrender or to acknowledge his defeat from November elections. "We are going to take Laurent Gbagbo out of his hole and hand him over to the president of the republic," said Sidiki Konate, spokesman for Ouattara's forces. France's cooperation minister yesterday said Gbagbo must exit the head of state's residence. France, whose helicopters joined UN forces in striking Gbagbo's bases this week, had indicated earlier that an exit deal was all but finalized. "We have asked the United Nations to guarantee his physical security and that of his family ... and to organize the conditions of his departure," Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told France Info radio. Gbagbo earlier rejected demands that he accept Ouattara as president. However, he is still in contact with international representatives about a possible surrender, according to a UN spokesman. Meanwhile, the European Union has imposed new sanctions on Gbagbo, banning the purchase of bonds from his "illegitimate government." Agencies |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
