End of Ivory Coast Battle Seems Near

By ADAM NOSSITER
NYT

DAKAR, Senegal – Reeling from mass defections of his soldiers and security forces, Ivory Coast’s strongman, Laurent Gbagbo, deployed a dwindling but determined band of loyalists Friday to defend his residence, the presidential palace and the state television station in an effort to hold off a direct assault on his embattled rule.

Gunfire, heavy weapons and explosions sounded throughout the day in Ivory Coast’s economic capital, Abidjan, as forces loyal to the winner of last year’s presidential election, Alassane Ouattara, stormed the city after a four-day lightning advance in which most of Ivory Coast fell into their hands.

The state television station, the loudspeaker for Mr. Gbagbo’s defiant refusals to step down since the election, changed hands throughout the day amid heavy fighting, while residents throughout the sprawling port, a once-prosperous West African metropolis turned war zone, cowered inside their homes.

Diplomats suggested that Mr. Gbagbo’s struggle to stay in power despite a cascade of international condemnation, sanctions and, most recently, a rebel advance was entering its final phase.

(More here.)