Gbagbo's extended mandate rejected by rebels

ABIDJAN-- Laurent Gbagbo has begun his sixth year as president of Ivory Coast in the face of fierce objections from the country's armed and unarmed opposition. They are demanding that he stand down.

On Sunday, Gbagbo said he would name a new prime minister within days to ensure that presidential elections originally scheduled for the weekend were held within 12 months.

However, the New Forces rebels on Sunday declared Gbagbo's mandate "well and truly over", saying they would no longer recognise him as head of state.