Gbagbo's forces strike back in Cote d'Ivoire

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Abidjan-Forces loyal to Cote d'Ivoire's embattled President Laurent Gbagbo carried out a counterattack on his rival Alassane Ouattara by firing at his headquarters in Abidjan.

Residents in Abidjan's Cocody district reported two hours of explosions and heavy arms fire before sunrise on Saturday.

Witnesses said there was an exchange of fire between the Republican Forces of Cote d'Ivoire and pro-Gbagbo forces near Ouattara's headquarters.

The attack on the Golf Hotel, which Ouattara has made his base since the election, involved mortar fire that appeared to have been fired from pro-Gbagbo forces, creating panic among people in the lobby of the hotel.

UN peacekeepers stationed around the hotel responded and fired heavy weapons to repel pro-Gbagbo forces.

The situation remained tense in almost the whole of Cocody district where civilians were holed up at home again.

The United States condemned the "renewed assault by forces loyal to former President Gbagbo against the Republican Forces of Cote d' Ivoire." -BuaNews- Xinhua