Ivory Coast: Pro-Ouattara forces launch palace assault (& claim to be inside presidential residence) [View All]

[Turborama]

Source: Al Jazeera English

Fierce fighting rages in Cote d'Ivoire's main city as pro-Ouattara forces claim to be inside presidential residence.
Last Modified: April 05 2011 04:48

Heavy fighting is continuing in Abidjan where forces loyal to Cote d'Ivoire's presidential rivals are battling for control of the country's main city.

Fighters supporting Alassane Ouattara, internationally recognised as Cote d'Ivoire's legitimate president, launched an assault around the presidential palace early on Tuesday as they attempt to oust incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo from power.

Machine gun and heavy weapons fire could be heard near the palace before dawn, witnesses told Reuters, while a spokesman for Ouattara's government has claimed its troops have already occupied Gbagbo's official presidential residence.

"Yes, they are inside his residence. They are in control," Patrick Achi told Reuters by telephone. "But if Gbagbo's there or not, I do not know."

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/2011446577547697.html

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