20110111
xinhua

ABIDJAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo left Cote d'Ivoire early Monday after two days of mediation as incumbent Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo still refused to cede power since the Nov. 28 presidential vote.

Obasanjo aimed to break the political impasse between Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara who was recognized by the international community as the winner of the election. Obasanjo visited the presidency and the Golf Hotel, the temporary headquarters of Ouattara.

Obasanjo delivered "Africa's determination to achieve the objective" and offered Gbagbo an exile abroad and a monthly stipend if he relinquish power, according to an adviser to Ouattara.

Obasanjo warned the 15-nation regional bloc ECOWAS was still considering military intervention as an option to remove Gbagbo if talks failed. He also expressed the international community's "strong support and respect for the results" to Outtara.

Obasanjo was sent by the head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the United Nations, around 200 people have been killed or disappeared amid the conflict during the past month. Ouattara is now protected by some 800 UN peacekeepers in the Golf Hotel.

Major organizations, including the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, have voiced support to Ouattara as the winner of the Nov. 28 presidential runoff vote.