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presstv
Heavy fighting is taking place in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan as fighters supporting president-elect Alassane Ouattara battle for control of the presidential palace.

Pro-Ouattara fighters met with fierce resistance from incumbent Laurent Gbagbo's forces around the presidential palace and other strategic locations on Saturday.

Residents say they heard loud explosions near the Cocody neighborhood where Gbagbo's official residence is located.

"We hear irregular shooting, the deafening sound of heavy weapons and bursts of machine gun fire," residents and witnesses said.

Pro-Ouattara forces had briefly seized the state television headquarters on Friday, but it was back on air Saturday showing images of angry soldiers.

Meanwhile, Ouattara says numerous mass graves have been found in the country's west. Ouattara's government accuses Gbagbo supporters of being responsible for the massacre.

The accusation comes after an announcement by the International Committee of the Red Cross that at least 800 people were killed in Ivory Coast on Tuesday alone.

The humanitarian body said the victims were killed after fighting broke out in the western city of Duekoue.

Deadly violence erupted in the West African nation after a disputed presidential election in November.

While much of the international community has recognized Ouattara as the winner of the vote, Gbagbo refuses to cede power.

Tensions further escalated after they both claimed victory and appointed separate cabinets.

The disputed presidential election has raised the risk of a long power struggle that could trigger another civil war in the country.

The United Nations has recently warned of a civil war if the situation continues to deteriorate in the African nation.