Ivory Coast: Presidential residence 'taken' in Abidjan

Another thousand people or so to be slaughtered this week?

BBC
Forces loyal to Ivory Coast's UN-recognised president say they have captured the besieged incumbent's residence in the main city of Abidjan.

Alassane Ouattara's spokesman said his troops had overrun the home of Laurent Gbagbo, who refuses to step down, though his whereabouts are unclear.

Heavy weapons fire rocked the city early on Tuesday.

Hours earlier, UN and French helicopters attacked targets around the presidential residence.

Mr Ouattara's representative in Paris, Ali Coulibaly, told French media that Mr Gbagbo was now negotiating his surrender.