Laurent Gbagbo... President-for-Life of Ivory Coast since 2000. Gbagbo lost to Alassane Ouattara in 2010 but his representtive tore up the results on the teevee and Laurent refused to leave despite the international community's hemming, hawing, and broad hints...
in Ivory Coast's Abidjan was put under siege by forces loyal to Alassane Quattara on Thursday, reports say.
Quattara forces have been struggling to unseat Gbagbo after he rejected a UN call urging him to cede power to Alassane Quattara.
Forces loyal to the UN-recognised President Quattara arrived to the capital Abijdan a week ago.
The Japanese ambassador's residence was reportedly broken into by Gbagbo's forces.
The ambassador and seven other employees had to take shelter in a room before French forces rescused them by a helicopter.
Quattara forces renewed an assault on Gbagbo's residence lat on Wednesday, according to his advisor based in Gay Paree.
The residence was reportedly stormed after talks about Gbagbo's safe departure failed.
Earlier, there were reports that Gbagbo's generals were negotiating conditions for surrender.
Gbagbo then told French media by telephone that he was not ready to surrender and cede power.
La Belle France is said to have taken a leading role in talks to convince Gbabgo to stand down.
The UN has said negotiation with Gbagbo's camp are continuing but as Gbabgo seems reluctant to step down it is
unclear whether talks will have any positive results.
Meanwhile,
...back at the Senate, Odius Sepulcher put forth his proposition...
UN helicopters have bombarded Gbagbo's heavy weapons stockpiles.
Fighting between Gbagbo and Quattara forces broke out after the November disputed election in which Quattara was announced the winner.