Odinga makes fresh AU mediation attempt in Ivory Coast

Abidjan, 17 Jan – (ANA) - Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is due to arrive in Ivory Coast for a new round of mediation talks on behalf of the African Union.

This is the latest attempt to persuade incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to step down.

Mr Gbagbo is refusing to hand power to Alassane Ouattara, seen internationally as the winner of November elections.

Mr Ouattara and his government-in-waiting remain under siege by Mr Gbagbo's forces in an Abidjan hotel.

After Mr Odinga's failure to make much progress on his first visit, little is now expected from yet another mediation effort, correspondents say.

Neither side is backing down on claims to the presidency, and the option of a Kenyan-style power-sharing deal has been dismissed by all sides - not least by Mr Odinga himself. (ANA)

FA/ANA/17 January 2011------