Ivory Coast policemen die in clashes in Abidjan

Abidjan, 13 Jan – (ANA) - Five police officers have died in fresh fighting overnight in Ivory Coast's main city of Abidjan, in a stronghold of Alassane Ouattara.

Mr Ouattara is recognised by the UN as the winner of a November poll, but incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo has refused to concede that he lost.

Residents said the clashes involved security forces loyal to Mr Gbagbo and unidentified armed civilians.

Four people died in fighting nearby on Tuesday between rival supporters.

Mr Gbagbo's party has rejected an offer from Mr Ouattara to form a unity government.

November's presidential vote was supposed to reunify the world's largest cocoa producer, which has been divided between north and south since a conflict in 2002. (ANA)

FA/ANA/13 January 2011-------