Ivory Coast: Gbagbo faces criminal inquiry

Offcials launched a criminal inquiry into the former president Laurent Gbagbo and his entourage yesterday, as sporadic fighting broke out in parts of the main city, Abidjan.

A spokesman for the government said Mr Gbagbo, his wife and 100 other people in his inner circle were being investigated for human rights abuses after Mr Gbagbo used the army to cling to power after losing last November's election to Alassane Ouattara.

Mr Ouattara took control this month with the aid of French and UN soldiers.