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April 5, 2011

Ivory Coast: Opposition and U.N. Forces Close In On Presidential Palace 
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In Ivory Coast, fighters supporting Alassane Ouattara have launched an
assault around the presidential palace in attempt to oust incumbent
President Laurent Gbagbo from power. Ouattara is recognized by the
international community as the winner of last year's elections. A
spokesperson for Ouattara's government has claimed its troops have
occupied Gbagbo's official presidential residence further to the east in
Abidjan. There are reports that Gbagbo is negotiating his surrender and
has requested a ceasefire. On Monday attack helicopters from the United
Nations and the French military attacked Gbagbo's presidential palace.
UN helicopters also fired on a military camp of troops loyal to Gbagbo.
The UN says its actions were in line with the mandate given by the UN
Security Council to neutralize heavy arms used against civilians. Alain
Le Roy, UN under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, said
heavy arms were being stored near the palace.

United Nations Peacekeeping Chief, Alain Le Roy: "I think there are
heavy weapons very close. We have to see from the images of the
satellite where they are, but they are very close, some are very close
to the residency and the presidential palace, yes."

Reporter: "Is that why France fired on the presidential palace?"

Le Roy: "Yes, I think the mandate is to fire only to heavy weapons, even
if they are close to the presidential palace. If the heavy weapons can
threaten...it's no point to fire at the presidential palace if there are
no heavy weapons, but we understand there are heavy weapons very close
and that's what they are firing at."

Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan is facing a humanitarian
crisis. Residents say little food remains in the city.

Abidjan resident: "We have a food problem this morning. Everywhere we go
we can't find anything to eat, because the war created this whole
situation. We don't want war in Africa, particularly not in Ivory Coast.
We hate this situation, we are tired of it."



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