United Nations and French forces closed in on Ivory Coast’s presidential palace early today after launching full assaults on the residence of the entrenched leader, the republican guard, two major military bases and state TV.
Fighters aiming to topple strongman Laurent Gbagbo had succeeded in taking nearly the entire countryside in just three days last week, but they faltered once they reached the country’s largest city, where the presidential palace and residence are located.
With the help of international forces, the armed group fighting to install the country’s democratically elected leader Alassane Ouattara pushed their way to the heart of the city to reach Mr Gbagbo’s home.