Ivory Coast Rebels Take Presidential Palace

Laurent Gbagbo’s reign appears to be over.

Disputed Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo reportedly remains holed up in a bunker inside the presidential palace, but forces loyal to his rival Alassane Ouattara have taken the residence and broken his hold on power. Gbagbo lost elections to Ouattara last November but refused to step down, sparking a political standoff that escalated into open armed conflict in recent weeks. Ouattara’s forces had taken much of the countryside but could not penetrate the capital Abidjan until this week, and for days fierce gun battles have raged in the city of four million. Ouattara’s soldiers had help from French and UN helicopters, which fired on Gbagbo’s forces Monday after they reportedly began targeting civilians.