Gbagbo Faces Ouster as Top General Defects

By Staff writer

ABIDJAN---Ivory Coast's president, Laurent Gbagbo, is at the verge of being overthrown after his army chief deserted him and sought refuge at the home of South Africa's ambassador in Abidjan and rebel forces advanced into Abidjan, his territory.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, the Army chief of staff Phillippe Mangou was accompanied by his wife and children. Heavy machine gun fire subsequently rocked the centre of Ivory Coast's main city.

The UN-recognised president, Alassane Ouattara forces are reported to be on the outskirts of the main city of Abidjan surging in to take power. Reuters reports that Ouattara's government ordered the closure of Ivory Coast's land, air and sea borders.

Transmission from the state broadcaster which is said to be loyal to Gbagbo, has gone off air following hours of fighting near its headquarters in Abidjan. Residents across the city said the channel stopped transmitting at 10.45pm GMT after repeatedly showing images of Gbagbo and his close entourage.

According to the UN estimates at least 473 people have been killed since December and one million people have fled the violence.