Ivory Coast: Pro-Ouattara forces 'attack Daloa'

[pampango]

Source: BBC

Forces loyal to Ivory Coast's UN-backed president-elect Alassane Ouattara have attacked the major town of Daloa as they gain ground on two fronts from the army. They are making progress against forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo in both the east and the west.

Mr Gbagbo refuses to stand down even though the UN says he lost last year's election. Pro-Gbagbo troops have lost every battle with the New Forces since last November's election, says the BBC's John James in the central town of Bouake.

At least 462 people have been killed since December, according to the UN, which has a 9,000-strong peacekeeping force in the country. The UN has accused pro-Gbagbo forces of firing shells at pro-Ouattara areas of Abidjan, causing widespread civilian casualties.

France last week circulated a draft resolution at the UN calling for sanctions against Mr Gbagbo and his allies. The European Union has already taken similar measures, leading banks to shut down and badly hitting the cocoa trade, which is one of Mr Gbagbo's main sources of revenue.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12890555

---