Forces allied with internationally recognised Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara yesterday seized control of a fourth town in the west of the country, both sides reported.
As pro-Ouattara fighters continued the push south of their traditional frontline stronghold, the district of Abobo, the capital, Abidjan, counted losses after a crackdown by strongman Laurent Gbagbo on Saturday left about 10 dead.
A member of Mr Gbagbo's militia said the New Forces fighters, "well equipped (with) rocket launchers and machine guns", took the town of Doke and were headed towards Blolequin.
If they capture Blolequin, the fighters will have access to the port of San Pedro in the southwest, the largest cocoa-exporting port in the world.
Ivory Coast is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa. Coffee and cocoa make up 40 per cent of Ivory Coast's export earnings and about one-fifth of its gross domestic product in normal times.
Mr Ouattara made a discreet return to Abidjan yesterday after a foreign tour to enlist support from fellow African leaders as the post-electoral stand-off intensified in the wake of an African Union decision endorsing him as president. A statement issued by the "Ouattara presidency" confirmed his return.
Mr Gbagbo has rejected the African Union endorsement of his rival's presidency, and many fear the deadlock will see a return to a 2002-03 civil war that devastated the once-prosperous country.
In a bid to dislodge supporters of his rival, Mr Gbagbo sent his troops into the Abobo district on Saturday with tanks, mortars and helicopters, leaving about 10 bodies scattered in the streets.
Mr Ouattara's camp denounced the violence as "blind murder", saying it was a show of force by Mr Gbagbo who has "his back to the wall".
On Sunday, residents hurriedly loaded bags in taxis or balanced possessions on top of pick-up trucks as they fled the zone. According to the UN refugee agency, about 500,000 have fled their homes, about 70,000 of whom are seeking refuge in Liberia.----
