Former political foes strike pact to oust Gbagbo

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

ABIDJAN, - Cote d'Ivoire's two leading opposition figures ended a decade-long political feud on Wednesday by striking a pact to oust their common enemy, President Laurent Gbagbo, at the ballot box.

With the war-torn nation headed for key presidential elections 30 October, four opposition groups -- two major parties and two smaller ones - signed a deal in Paris to join forces in a new coalition called the "Rally of Houphouetistes for Democracy and Peace."

This provides for the different parties in the coalition to field separate candidates in this year's presidential election.

But if there is no outright winner and the vote goes into a second run-off round between the two leading candidates, the opposition coalition has pledged to unite behind a single contender.

Diplomats say the pact will put strong pressure on Gbagbo, who is not expected to win 50 percent of the vote on the first ballot.