Gbagbo told to step down

ABIDJAN – Rebels in Ivory Coast called on this war-divided country’s president to step down, saying his mandate, extended by the United Nations last year for 12 months and which expired on Tuesday, ran out long ago.

Last year, a UN-backed peace plan extended Laurent Gbagbo’s five-year mandate by 12 months after it became clear that elections scheduled for October 2005 could not be held. A new prime minister was appointed to help shepherd the world’s leading cocoa producer toward elections by the end of this month.But, the ballot was delayed again because neither side completed the steps necessary to prepare for the poll, including disarmament and a programme to register voters lacking proper identity documents.Gbagbo officials could not be immediately reached for comment, but the president had repeatedly said the constitution allowed him to remain in power and delay elections if war or natural disaster prevented polling from taking place.Nampa-APA new prime minister was appointed to help shepherd the world’s leading cocoa producer toward elections by the end of this month.But, the ballot was delayed again because neither side completed the steps necessary to prepare for the poll, including disarmament and a programme to register voters lacking proper identity documents.Gbagbo officials could not be immediately reached for comment, but the president had repeatedly said the constitution allowed him to remain in power and delay elections if war or natural disaster prevented polling from taking place.Nampa-AP