Ouattara forces make gains in Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN: Forces allied with internationally recognised Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara on Sunday seized control of a fourth town in the west of the country, both sides reported.

As pro-Ouattara fighters continued to push south into territory normally held by troops loyal to rival Laurent Gbagbo, people in district of Abobo, in Abidjan, were counting their losses.

Abobo, a stronghold of Ouattara supporters, had to fight off an assault by Gbagbo's forces on Saturday, leaving around 10 people dead.

Ouattara himself made a discreet return to Abidjan on Sunday after a foreign tour in which he met fellow African leaders and consolidated his diplomatic position, after Thursday's African Union decision endorsing him as president.