Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Ivory Coast Violence Spreads to Political Capital VOA News February 25, 2011 Residents of the popular district of Abobo, a suburb of Abidjan, flee the quarter carrying their luggage on their heads on February 25, 2011 Photo: AFP Residents of the popular district of Abobo, a suburb of Abidjan, flee the quarter carrying their luggage on their heads on February 25, 2011 Post-election violence in Ivory Coast has spread to the political capital, Yamoussoukro, where security forces loyal to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo clashed with supporters of his rival, Alassane Ouattara. Witnesses reported hearing sporadic gunfire for several hours into early Friday. Clashes also continued overnight in the commercial capital, Abidjan. There was no immediate word on casualties. Fighting in Abidjan has been concentrated in the pro-Ouattara neighborhood of Abobo, where supporters of the rival presidents have engaged in gunbattles for several days. Hundreds of residents streamed out of Abobo Friday to escape the violence. On Thursday, fighting spread to the country's west, near the borders with Liberia and Guinea. The New Forces rebels, who tried to oust President Gbagbo in 2002 and now support Ouattara, said they killed 80 pro-Gbagbo troops in a battle. The death toll could not be verified. Ivory Coast has been mired in crisis for nearly three months, since both rival presidents claimed victory in a November presidential run-off vote.  The United Nations certified official results showing Ouattara as the winner but Gbagbo has rejected international calls to yield power. The U.N. says post-election violence in Ivory Coast has killed at least 300 people and sent tens of thousands of refugees fleeing to Liberia. Gbagbo retains control of the army and other state institutions. Ouattara has spent more than two months in an Abidjan hotel, protected by U.N. peacekeepers. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. .