'Final Assault' Launched on Gbagbo Bunker

Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara launched what the local media is describing as a "final assault" on Laurent Gbagbo's bunker today, aiming to capture the rogue president. "We are going to his residence to fetch him and put an end to this comedy," a spokesman for Ouattara's side tells the Telegraph. "This charade must end because the country is collapsing." Gbagbo's side has described the assault as an "assassination attempt," but Ouattara forces say they've been explicitly ordered not to kill Gbagbo.

Ouattara's spokesman said they'd launched the attack because Gbagbo "was still refusing to sign a document recognizing Ouattara's [presidential election] victory and Ouattara concluded that he was not being honest." Gbagbo representatives have also reported that French forces are taking part in the assault, though French officials deny that, the New York Times reports. But France's foreign minister did call Gbagbo's refusal to give up power "absurd," adding, "Everybody's dropped him." (More Ivory Coast stories.)