20101204 africanews
There was gunfire in Abidjan on Saturday as tension escalated following the standoff between Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo, the contenders in Cote d'Ivoire's presidential election second round run-off. Residents reported gunfire in several parts of the city and Ouattara supporters began to burn tyres and build barricades.
ncumbent President Gbagbo remained defiant and state television said he was to be confirmed as winner of the second-round vote during a ceremony at midday.
Following the nightly curfew angry Ouattara supporters took to the streets. They set fire to tyres and used wood to construct barricades in the streets of Abidjan.
Ouattara had claimed victory on Friday and declared himself president-elect. Meanwhile Gbagbo was declared winner by the Constitutional Court, run by his allies.
The United Nations, European Union and United States have all urged Gbagbo to accept the result and make way for his rival.
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