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presstv
Fighting has erupted between French forces and supporters of the Ivory Coast's incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo as clashes between rival Ivorian sides continue.

French troops were trying to evacuate the Japanese ambassador from his besieged embassy in Abidjan when they clashed with Gbagbo's loyalists on Wednesday.

Japan's ambassador to Ivory Coast Okamura Yoshifumi has said their embassy came under attack from “mercenaries who entered the building shooting RPG rockets."

On Wednesday, forces loyal to internationally recognized President-elect Alassane Ouattara stormed Gbagbo's residence in Abidjan but met with fierce resistance from the president's loyalists.

The attack came when Gbagbo once again announced defiantly that he was the winner of November presidential election and refused to sign a document, as demanded by the UN and France, to recognize Ouattara's victory.

Meanwhile, UN peacekeeping department spokesman Nick Birnback has said talks with Gbagbo's camp are still underway.

The strongman had previously agreed to quit power provided that a safe departure was guaranteed for himself, his family members and some of his army generals, reports said.

The International Red Cross has warned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ivory Coast as fighting continues and more people displaced by the post-poll violence suffer food and water shortages.

At least 1,500 people have reportedly lost their lives since November last year when the political impasse erupted in the West African country.