Ivory Coast president-elect’s PM calls for game-ending ‘rapid offensive’

The UN recognised Ouattara as president after a run-off vote in November, but Gbagbo also claimed victory and refused to quit.

The BBC reports that pro-Ouattara troops have been massing just outside Abidjan amid talk of a final push. Source in Ouattara's Republican forces have also been reported as saying there had been a relative lull in the fighting while reinforcements arrived from the country's north.

A spokesman for the UN mission in Ivory Coast (Unoci) said there had been shooting near the presidential palace, where Gbagbo was believed to be staying, protected by the Republican Guard and special forces personnel.

Prime Minister Guillaume Soro announced on Sunday evening that they had surrounded Abidjan, and there was panic among Mr Gbagbo's troops. "The situation is now ripe for a rapid offensive," he told Ouattara's television station, TCI.

"The operation will be rapid because we have discovered the exact number of operational tanks on the ground. Ivorians must trust in the Republican forces."

Meanwhile, there were unconfirmed reports that Gbagbo's Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Philippe Mangou, had resumed his duties. He was said to have left the South African ambassador's residence, where he took refuge after defecting to Ouattara's side last week.

A group of journalists trying to drive into Abidjan were fired on repeatedly by militias.

Many residents are trapped indoors without food, water and electricity.

Ouattara's forces captured most of the country after mounting a major offensive a week ago, but the battle for Abidjan is proving much harder as the city is where Gbagbo draws much support from.

Accusations have also been broadcast that French peacekeepers were an "occupying force" intent on carrying out genocide.

The French have taken control of Abidjan airport from the UN mission and added 300 more soldiers to their 1,100-strong force.

French officials say the aim is to allow commercial flights to resume so foreign citizens can be evacuated.

UN peacekeepers are protecting tens of thousands of civilians who have taken refuge in the compound of a church in the western town of Duekoue.

The UN says more than 330 people died last week as Mr Ouattara's forces took over the town.

More than 100 of them were killed by Mr Gbagbo's troops, it adds.

Mr Ouattara's officials blamed the deaths on fighting between local militias, and said he would welcome an international inquiry.