Ivory Coast: Dozens die as Laurent Gbagbo's militia fight on

Source: The Guardian

Dozens of people have died in Ivory Coast's commercial capital as the remnants of a militia loyal to Laurent Gbagbo fight on – three weeks after he was deposed.

The stubborn resistance in Abidjan is said to come from mainly Liberian mercenaries hired by Gbagbo as a last throw of the dice after he suffered election defeat and his army crumbled.

Persistent clashes underline the fragility of post-war security after the power struggle between Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara, who succeeded him as president.

Franck Kodjo, a Red Cross official, told Reuters: "We have seen many dead. We recovered 40 bodies over two hours, but we were forced to stop because we had no room left in our van."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/04/ivory-coast-gbagbo-militia-fight-on

Source: BBC

Government forces in the Ivory Coast say they are now in control of the whole of the main city of Abidjan.

Supporters of ousted President Laurent Gbagbo had been holding out in Yopougon district but a military commander said they had now been defeated.

The district was the scene of heavy fighting during the struggle between Mr Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara.

PM Guillaume Soro, visiting the site later, said the streets there were "littered with bodies".

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13289601