Ivory Coast’s UN-recognised President, Alassane Ouattara, has urged restraint after the dramatic capture of his bitter rival Laurent Gbagbo.
Announcing an investigation into Gbagbo, he promised him a fair trial and said a truth and reconciliation commission would be set up.
Gbagbo surrendered after a military assault on his residence in Abidjan.
He had provoked a crisis by refusing to cede power, insisting he had won November’s presidential election.
But forces loyal to Ouattara advanced on his residence today, while French tanks backing the UN peacekeeping mission in the country stood by.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the detention of Gbagbo, saying it had brought to an end months of unnecessary conflict, and the UN would support the new government.
US President Barack Obama also welcomed his capture, and called on armed groups in Ivory Coast to lay down their arms to boost the chances of a democratic future.
He added that victims and survivors of violence in the country deserved accountability for the crimes committed against them. (BBC)
