Nations United renews attacks on weapons of Gbagbo

The United Nations and French helicopters Sunday fired rockets on the home of Ivory Coast Laurent Gbagbo strongman in commercial capital, Abidjan, residents and the United Nations said.

Prisoners of a militia loyal to Laurent Gbagbo are held in a garage in the northern suburb of Abidjan. Emmanuel Braun/Reuters.

"I'm concluding what Mr. Gbagbo has lost contact with reality,", said the head of mission of peacekeeping one, Choi Young-jin, Sunday.

A United Nations spokesman said the operation was launched a day after forces loyal to President outgoing fired rockets and mortar on the hotel of Golf rounds, wounding a peacekeeper. It is believed that the weapons that were used are collected at Gbagbo's residence, spokesman for United Nations Hamadoun Toure said.

Alassane Ouattara, President of the country, internationally recognized uses the hotel as headquarters since November contested elections.

Residence of French Ambassador were firing Friday, according to Frederic Daguillon, Commander of French forces in C?te d'Ivoire.

"We continue our operation to neutralize the heavy weapons of Gbagbo," Toure told Reuters.

Two residents of the neighbouring districts have reported seeing two Mi-24 attack helicopters and a French helicopter open fire on the residence. A resident said he saw the smoke of the compound, where Gbagbo is hidden in a bunker.

After a dozen years in power, he still refuses to resign even if the United Nations ruled that he lost the presidential election to Ouattara.

After four months of diplomacy, Ouattara gave the green light for military intervention conducted by a group of former rebels fighters.

They have swept across the country, advancing hundreds of kilometres and take dozens of cities in a few days to be accepted at the door of Abidjan, C?te d'Ivoire of the largest and most strategically important city.

Forces of Gbagbo out of the presidential compound Saturday and advanced position at the heart of downtown and the hotel of the golf course.

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