Tuesday, April 5, 2011

BBC News - Ivory Coast: Laurent Gbagbo 'negotiating surrender'

France says negotiators are on the brink of agreeing his departure.

Mr Gbagbo is sheltering with his family in the basement bunker of his residence in the main city, Abidjan.

Troops loyal to Mr Gbagbo's rival, UN-recognised President Alassane Ouattara, say they have surrounded the compound.

The UN says Mr Gbagbo's military and civilian advisers are leaving him.

"We are very close to convincing him to leave power," French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told the National Assembly in Paris.

Mr Gbagbo's spokesman, Ahoua Don Mello, said there were "direct negotiations based on African Union recommendations which said Alassane Ouattara is president."

No comments: