Cote d'Ivoire: Besieged Gbagbo Now Negotiates Surrender

By Eric Sande

ABIDJAN--Cote d'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo on Tuesday hibernated in a bunker at his home accompanied with his family and a handful of supporters, as army generals negotiated an exit deal immediately after being cornered by his rival's forces.

With his refusal to accept that he had lost last year's election, he is now facing a disgraceful end to his 10-year rule filled with desperate defensive war to preserve it. Alassane Ouattara has been internationally recognized as the president since the disputed election held four months ago.

According to former colonial power France, Gbagbo told French television that was now trying to strike a deal to quit office by engaging his commanders to negotiate for a ceasefire.

"We are today I hope on the brink of convincing Mr Gbagbo to leave power and let Alassane Ouattara exercise power,” French Foreign minister Alain Juppe said.

The UN also confirmed to have received calls from Gbagbo's three top generals – the head of the armed forces, the head of the police and the head of the elite republican guard – offering to negotiate terms for surrender in return for guarantees of safety.

US President Barack Obama urged the embattled incumbent to step down immediately and welcomed strong support for French and UN military efforts faced with the violence. "To end this violence and prevent more bloodshed, former president Gbagbo must stand down immediately, and direct those who are fighting on his behalf to lay down their arms," the US president said.

Gbagbo told French television yesterday that his commanders were negotiating for a ceasefire. He also criticized France for intervening in Ivory Coast. "I don't understand how an electoral dispute in Ivory Coast has brought about the direct intervention of the French army," he said.

Meanwhile, Ouattara has urged forces loyal to him to take Gbagbo alive, and his advisers have called for Gbagbo to stand trial at the international criminal court.

Reports by United Nations indicate that dozens of people were reportedly killed over the past few days in Abidjan and that the humanitarian situation in the city was "dramatic".

Gbagbo was elected in 2000 and postponed polls due in 2005 before allowing them to go ahead last year, only to reject the ruling of the election authority that he had lost to long-time rival Ouattara.