Gbagbo's spokesman calls for resistance on resumed state TV
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A spokesman for Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent Laurent Gbagbo made the first appearance on state TV on Saturday after the resumption of its broadcast, calling for troops loyal to the 65-year-old outgoing president leader to resist the military offensive in the major city Abidjan.
In a televised address, military spokesman Lt. Col. Alphonse Guano asked security forces to rally behind Gbagbo to repel the advance by the Republican Forces backing the internationally recognized president, Alassane Ouattara.
The decisive battle over Abidjan, the largest city of Cote d'Ivoire, enters the second day after the pro-Ouattara forces arrived at its gate late Thursday.
Explosions and heavy gunfire were heard on Saturday morning, mainly around the presidential palace and Gbagbo's residence, seen as the last bastion to be conquered by the Republican Forces.
The state TV station controlled by Gbagbo suspended broadcast amid fighting on Friday, with Ouattara's men declaring its control and the denial made by sources close to Gbagbo.
Despite the blitz by Republican Forces since Monday, some observers say Gbagbo still enjoys the loyalty of thousands of elite troops, including the Republican Guard. They are well- equipped and vow to win the final victory of the Abidjan battle.
The ongoing war between the rival forces erupted in December amid the political standoff following the Nov. 28 presidential run- off.
Gbagbo rejected calls for handing over power after the international community recognized Ouattara as the winner of the election.
The country was last hit by a civil war between 2002 and 2003 after an attempted coup against Gbagbo, who linked it to his rival Ouattara and the ex-rebel New Forces, the backbone of the newly formed Republican Forces.
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