20110120
xinhua
ABIDJAN, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The camp of Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent Laurent Gbagbo has "rejected" Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga as the African Union (AU) mediator in the West African country because of his "manifest bias" for Alassane Ouattara, the other presidential claimant.

"We object to Odinga continuing to serve as the mediator since he has failed in his mission by showing open support for Ouattara, " said Alcide Djedje, the foreign minister in the Gbagbo's government, at a press conference held on Tuesday in Abidjan.

The statement came hours after Kenyan prime minister left Abidjan after his second unsuccessful mission on behalf of the AU.

"There's no willingness on his part to seek for a solution in Cote d'Ivoire's crisis," Djedje said, adding that Raila Odinga "had become an actor in the conflict and no longer an AU mediator. "

Just before he left Abidjan, the AU mediator "regretted" the failure to fulfill all conditions that are necessary for the opening of talks between Gbagbo and Ouattara. He also condemned the failure by Gbagbo to remove the blockade around the hotel where Ouattara and his government have been staying.

"The removal of the blockade is a fallacious excuse for Ouattara not to take part in the talks," Djedje added, noting that "the blockade around the hotel has got nothing to do with the source of the crisis."

He said Gbagbo is willing to remove the blockade only if the 300 to 400 officers of the ex-rebel New Forces (FN) are sent back to their stronghold of Bouake, a central city 360 km from Abidjan.

"Even if we reject Odinga, we want to reiterate our commitment to holding discussions with Ouattara's camp," Djedje said.

The FN has controlled the northern part of the country since the 2002-2003 civil war, while the southern part including Abidjan has been in the hands of Gbagbo.