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.


Calm Returns to Abidjan After Deadly Clashes

   VOA News 13 January 2011
   FDS  soldiers,  loyal  to  incumbent  president  Laurent Gbagbo, man a
   security  check  at  the entrance of the Abobo district of Abidjan, 13
   Jan 2011

Photo: AFP

   FDS  soldiers,  loyal  to  incumbent  president  Laurent Gbagbo, man a
   security  check  at  the entrance of the Abobo district of Abidjan, 13
   Jan 2011

   Witnesses  say  calm has returned to Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan,
   after  two  days  of  clashes  between  supporters of incumbent leader
   Laurent Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara.
   The  army,  which backs Mr. Gbagbo, imposed a curfew late Wednesday on
   Abidjan's Abobo district, an Ouattara stronghold that was the scene of
   this week's deadly fighting.
   Residents of the area say they did not hear any shooting overnight.
   At  least  11  people were killed as pro-Gbagbo security forces fought
   with armed Ouattara supporters in Abobo Tuesday and Wednesday.
   Abidjan  residents  remained  on edge Thursday as the standoff between
   Mr. Gbagbo and Mr. Ouattara continued.
   Both  men  say  they  won  the  November  presidential  election. Most
   countries recognize Mr. Ouattara as the winner, but Mr. Gbagbo refuses
   to step down.
   Mr.  Ouattara  has  been  holed up in an Abidjan hotel for more than a
   month, protected by U.N. peacekeepers.
   The  U.N.  said three of its peacekeepers were wounded late Tuesday in
   an  ambush  by  Gbagbo  forces.  In  a  statement late Wednesday, U.N.
   Secretary-General  Ban  Ki-moon  said any attacks on U.N. peacekeepers
   are unacceptable.
   Mr.  Ban also accused pro-Gbagbo forces of trying to force U.N. troops
   out  of  the  Abobo  district. He said U.N. forces "are determined" to
   stay  in  the  area  and  will  carry  out  their  mandate  to protect
   civilians.

.