Ivory Coast: Laurent Gbagbo stays in bunker and vows not to surrender

Ivory Coast's embattled leader Laurent Gbagbo is protected by a rump of just 200 soldiers in his bunker beneath the presidential palace, the French defence minister said, but he is refusing to surrender to advancing forces.

Gerard Longuet said Mr Gbagbo has an estimated 1,000 troops left in Abidjan, as forces loyal to president-in-waiting Alassane Ouattara had the palace surrounded.

"We're going to wait and let him come out like a rat," said an adviser to Mr Ouattara

However, Mr Gbagbo refuses to give up his increasingly fragile position and continues to claim he won November's election despite international pressure.

Europe-based adviser Toussaint Alain said by telephone that he had spoken to Mr Gbagbo and to the ruler's wife, Simone, on Thursday and that their position had not changed.

"I reached the head of state and his wife less than an hour ago – and no, he will not surrender. President Gbagbo will not cede," said Mr Alain. "It's a question of principle. President Gbagbo is not a monarch. He is not a king. He is not an emperor. He is a president elected by his people." (read more)