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Gbagbo Supporters Attacked at Ivory Coast Rally


Women show support to Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo during a rally called by Ivory Coast youth minister Charles Ble Goude and others in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (File Photo)
Women show support to Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo during a rally called by Ivory Coast youth minister Charles Ble Goude and others in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (File Photo)

Dozens of supporters of former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo have been attacked and injured during a rally in Abidjan.

Saturday's rally by the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) ended in disarray after opponents began throwing stones.

Gbagbo loyalists tried to fight back. Police fired tear gas to break up the confrontation. United Nations troops were called in to secure the area.

Gbagbo refused to leave office after losing the November 2010 election to Alassane Ouattara. The stand-off between the rival sides triggered battles that left several thousand people dead. Forces supporting President Ouattara eventually captured Gbagbo and placed him under house arrest.

In November, he was transferred to The Hague where he is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity by his army after his election defeat.

Human rights groups have also accused pro-Ouattara forces of abuses following the election.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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