20110310
Xinhua
ABIDJAN, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo on Wednesday ordered the resumption of cocoa exports in a counter-act to his presidential rival's call for export suspension.

The cocoa board under Gbagbo's government threatened to seize the stocks if exporters fail to resume business by the end of the month.

The order is another step taken this week by Gbagbo, who announced on Monday the control of the purchase and export of cocoa, of which, his country has long been the top producer.

Gbagbo's rival Alassane Ouattara, who is recognized by the international community as the president-elect, had previously called for the suspension of cocoa export in a bid to cut off the financial support for Gbagbo's government.

Cote d'Ivoire has been stuck in a political crisis since the Nov. 28 election. Both Gbagbo and Ouattara claim the presidency. The power struggle has expanded to the military and economic fronts ever since.

Fighting has been repeatedly reported between the New Forces (FN) and the security forces loyal to Gbagbo in the past weeks, bringing the West African country to the brink of an all-out war.

The FN, which backs Ouattara, has controlled the northern part of the country since the 2002-2003 civil war, while Gbagbo has occupied the southern part including the economic capital Abidjan.

Nearly 400 people have been killed in the post-election violence, which has also displaced tens of thousands of people, including 200,000 in Abidjan.