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Ouattara Forces Surround Gbagbo Home in Ivory Coast

   VOA News  April 07, 2011
   Members of Forces loyal to Ivory Coast's internationally recognized
   president Alassane Ouattaraes looks through binoculars ahead of an
   attack on the residence of former strongman Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan,
   April 6, 2011

Photo: AFP

   Members of Forces loyal to Ivory Coast's internationally recognized
   president Alassane Ouattaraes looks through binoculars ahead of an
   attack on the residence of former strongman Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan,
   April 6, 2011

   Forces loyal to Ivory Coast's internationally recognized president
   surrounded the home of incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo Thursday
   following sporadic clashes between the two sides overnight.
   The siege comes a day after forces backing Alassane Ouattara attacked
   Gbagbo's bunker, but later pulled backed after meeting strong
   resistance from pro-Gbagbo troops.
   French helicopters on Thursday rescued Japan's ambassador to Ivory
   Coast, whose residence was caught in clashes between the rival
   presidents' forces.
   French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Israel has also asked France
   to help evacuate its diplomats from Ivory Coast.
   The forces loyal to Ouattara launched an assault on Gbagbo's residence
   Wednesday after he refused to admit electoral defeat and surrender.
   Aides to Ouattara say the fighters have been told to capture Gbagbo
   alive.
   Ivory Coast has been mired in political crisis since December, when
   Gbagbo rejected election results showing that Ivorians had chosen
   Ouattara as president.
   Months of international mediation efforts failed to convince Gbagbo to
   leave power peacefully. Pro-Ouattara fighters launched a nationwide
   offensive last week, seizing towns and cities across Ivory Coast, and
   driving pro-Gbagbo forces back to Abidjan.
   Hundreds have died since the post-election fighting began in December,
   including many civilians. The U.N. says up to 1 million Ivorians have
   fled their homes. More than 100,000 have fled to neighboring Liberia.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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