Ivory Coast Entering A 'New Age Of Hope'

Ivory Coast has entered a "new age of hope" after the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo, according to the man who will now assume the presidency.



Alassane Ouattara spoke after Mr Gbagbo, whose refusal to cede power after losing an election sparked months of bloodshed, was finally captured after spending more than a week barricaded in his presidential residence.
Mr Ouattara also said he would establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate accusations of atrocities against civilians by both sides in the conflict.
He also called for calm and urged militias to lay down their weapons.

"Our country has turned a painful page in its history."
Mr Gbagbo has been taken to Mr Ouattara's headquarters at the city's Golf Hotel.

Toussaint Alain, a Paris-based advisor loyal to Mr Gbagbo, claimed French special forces broke into the palace using tanks to make the arrest.
However, both French and UN officials have denied French troops penetrated the residence, saying the arrest was made by Ivorian forces.
"The ex-president Laurent Gbagbo has handed himself over to the Republican Forces of Ivory Coast," French armed forces spokesman Thierry Burkhard said.

"At no moment did French forces enter either the garden or the residence of Gbagbo."
Ouattara supporters have been seen celebrating on the streets of the commercial capital.
"It is unbelievable what is going on here. People are running around in every direction and screaming that they are finally free," one local said.
Mr Gbagbo had refused to step down after losing UN-certified elections last November to Mr Ouattara, plunging the country into a violent confrontation that has left thousands dead and more than a million displaced.
Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the detention of Mr Gbagbo, claiming the former president had "acted against any democratic principles" in recent months.
He added that Britain had "long regarded" Mr Ouattara as the rightful president and hoped the change of leadership would allow the opportunity for a "democratic and peaceful" way forward.

However, in a word of warning, Mr Hague also called for Mr Gbagbo to be treated with respect and said he hoped a "fair and properly organised judicial process" would take place.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the arrest sent a signal that leaders who cling to power "will face consequences".
And she called on all citizens of the country to remain calm and to build a peaceful future.