2011-02-19 21:05

ABIDJAN - Cote d'Ivoire police on Saturday used tear gas to disperse demonstrators demanding the step-down of incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo in the economic capital Abidjan.

The clash, the latest in a series since the November 28 presidential election, erupted after Gbagbo's rival Alassane Ouattara called for an Egypt-style protest to force him out.

Hundreds of youths were witnessed in the district of Abobo, the stronghold of Ouattara's supporters, who have repeatedly clashed with security forces loyal to Gbagbo in the past weeks.

Around 300 people have died in the post-election violence, which has also displaced tens of thousands of people. Many have fled into neighboring Liberia and Guinea.

Both Gbagbo and Ouattara have claimed the presidency since the election. The international community including the United Nations and the African Union recognizes Ouattara as the president-elect.