Former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo surrendered to forces loyal to president-elect Alassane Ouattara on Monday.
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swissinfo.ch and agencies
The move comes after a week of heavy fighting in Abidjan, initiated by Ouattara following Gbagbo’s consistent refusals to relinquish power after losing national elections last November.
The surrender and subsequent arrest came after French special forces using tanks surrounded the compound where Gbagbo has been holed up since fighting began.
French officials denied initial reports they had been involved in the arrest. They said Gbagbo had been arrested by Ouattara forces, backed by United Nations and French forces.
Gbabgo is reportedly being held at a hotel in Abidjan under guard by UN peacekeepers.
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