20101216
africanews

Two soldiers of Ivory Coast's New Forces (FN) - ex-rebel faction who assist the UN soldiers in securing the hotel where opposition president-elect Alassane Ouattara and his ministers are staying - were killed during Thursday's street protest while they were engaged in exchange of fire with soldiers loyal to incumbent Laurent Gbagbo.

According to Ouattara’s spokesman Meité Seydou, the two elements were killed while their army escorted the motorcade of Ouattara’s ministers from the hotel to the state TV premises and was halted by Gbagbo’s soldiers, sparking an exchange of fire which lasted for about 30 minutes, according to AFP.

Hospital sources have confirmed the death of about six protesters killed by live bullets while pro-Gbagbo forces tried to disperse hundreds of determined youths who were marching to seize the state TV.

Ouattara’s Prime Minister Soro Guillaume called for a tougher mobilisation to unseat Gbagbo’s “illegal government.”

According to AFP, rebel forces and the regular army are currently fighting in the south-central town of Tiebissou, an indication that the clashes may spread across the west African country.