The opposition parties in Ivory Coast say they no longer recognize Laurent Gbagno as the country's president, and are calling on the army to intervene. Mr Gbagno decided today to dismiss the government and the electoral commission, claiming that the latter is guilty of fraud.

Mr Gbagbo has asked the departing Prime Minister, Mr Guillaume Soro, to form a new government next week, which will then appoint a new electoral commission.

The Ivorian opposition has pressed for presidential elections for years in vain. Mr Gbagno's term in office officially finished five years ago. This is the sixth time that presidential elections have been postponed. 

Since 2002, Ivory Coast has been torn by a north-south conflict, with a rebel-occupied Islamic north and a mainly Christian south. It is hoped that future elections will put an end to the division.