Gbagbo and Ouattara armed forces continue the battle for the capital of Ivory Coast Abidjan 0304113

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Defense News - Ivory Coast
 

Sunday, April 03, 2011, 04:46 PM

 
Gbagbo and Ouattara armed forces continue the battle for the capital of Ivory Coast, Abidjan.
 
 
As forces loyal to rival leaders in Ivory Coast continue to battle for control of the commercial capital Abidjan, France has boosted its military presence.
     
View Battle of Abidjan Ivory Coast combat situation in a larger map (Click on Icons for details)
     

Forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo have shown reporters bodies outside the main state tv and radio building, which was attacked by rival forces. Gbagbo's force retook the bridge leading to his presidential palace on Saturday after the opposition had appeared poised to topple him.

People continue to flee the city, amid fierce fighting between pro-Gbagbo soldiers and fighters supporting presidential challenger Alassane Ouattara. Pro-Ouattara forces had marched easily into the country's largest city, where they encircled the presidential palace and Gbagbo's home on Thursday and Friday.

French forces have taken over the airport in Abidjan as forces loyal to Cote d'Ivoire's presidential rivals battle for a fourth day for control of the West African country's main city.

The soldiers, along with UN peacekeepers, have been moving foreigners to the safety of a military camp.

     
The battle of Abidjan (Ivory Coast)