President Barack Obama is renewing his call for Laurent Gbagbo to immediately leave power in Ivory Coast to help end violence that has U.N. peacekeepers and French troops enforcing an international mandate to protect civilians.
Mr. Obama commented on Tuesday as officials said Mr. Gbagbo was huddled in a bunker at home, surrounded by troops supporting Alassane Ouattara, the country’s democratically elected and internationally recognized leader.
Mr. Gbagbo’s refusal to step aside after losing a November election has brought Ivory Coast to the brink of civil war.
Mr. Obama says the violence and bloodshed could have been avoided had Mr. Gbagbo respected the election outcome. He also called on Mr. Gbagbo to order those who are fighting to keep him in power to put down their weapons.
