14 Jan 2011

Curfews inmposed in Ivory Coast districts

6:10 am on 14 January 2011

Curfews are in force in two districts of Abidjan, in Ivory Coast, where there have been heavy clashes.

Five police officers were killed during raids on the neighbourhood of Abobo which is loyal to Alassane Ouattara, the man widely recognised as the president-elect.

Armed forces supporting incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo moved into the suburb on Tuesday night. Four people died in fighting nearby between rival supporters earlier in the day.

Mr Gbagbo refuses to relinquish the presidency, after losing an election on 28 November.

Mr Gbagbo's party has rejected an offer from Mr Ouattara to form a unity government.

Mr Ouattara is blockaded in a hotel in Abidjan, protected by UN peacekeepers and the former rebels.